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8 Reasons Why Most Men Feel Intimidated By Strong And Smart Women

By
Riley Cooper

The more independent, stronger, and smarter a woman is, the more likely she is to roll solo. How sad it is to realize that it is the 21st century and the stigma that’s attached to tough, deep women still exists. A lot of men still feel intimidated by intelligent and confident women.

So, the question is: Why is this so?

Well, the liberated, wild nature of independent and tough women is a big threat to the ego of men that have low self-esteem. When a woman carries herself with an air of depth, intelligence, and class, she can be intimidating to a guy that lacks confidence and feels unlovable or incompetent.

Following are 8 reasons why a strong and smart woman is intimidating to most men:

1. SHE IS UTTERLY SINCERE

A strong and confident woman is not afraid to speak her mind. In her conversations with other people, she’s not afraid to express her opinions and ideas, no matter how different they are from those of the person standing in front of her.

And when it comes to telling the truth, this kind of woman never beats around the bush. Instead, she tells it like it is.

2. SHE IS SELECTIVE ABOUT THE PEOPLE SHE LETS INTO HER LIFE

A smart, deep woman is not going to waste her energy or time on just about any man. This kind of woman craves genuine emotional intimacy. She needs someone with whom she’ll be able to have intellectually stimulating and interesting conversations. Someone who will encourage her to grow and gain new perspectives on life.

3. SHE IS NOT EASY TO DECEIVE

Controlling and conniving men that tend to manipulate and take advantage of insecure women can’t fool a smart, deep, confident woman. They can’t mess with her mind and lure her into their trap with their lies and manipulation techniques. Why?

Because this kind of woman is not naïve. She can sense a lie from a mile away. She can see through people and their intentions.

4. SHE DOESN’T SETTLE FOR MEDIOCRE RELATIONSHIPS

An intelligent, deep woman has no time or energy to waste on guys who are only interested in flings and no-strings-attached relationships. When this woman loves, she loves honestly, wholeheartedly, and intensely. That’s why she’s looking for a man who will be able to handle the intensity of her love and who will be ready to fully commit to her.

5. SHE IS INDEPENDENT

A strong, smart, confident woman has a strong sense of independence. She lives her life in accordance with her own principles and beliefs. She doesn’t bother to fit in with the crowd and please everyone around her.

Additionally, she doesn’t care about what others think of her. She knows very well who she is and she knows exactly what she wants in life and how to get it.

6. SHE NEVER SHIES AWAY FROM INTIMACY

A deep, confident woman is in touch with her emotions. She expresses her love to her man openly and confidently. She’s not ashamed or afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve and undress her soul in front of the man she loves.

7. SHE HAS LITTLE PATIENCE

When this kind of woman decides to engage in a serious, meaningful relationship, it has to be with a guy that will be invested in the relationship as much as she is. A guy who will be her equal. A guy who will respect her boundaries. A guy who will be sure that he wants to be with her, not some immature, fickle guy who can’t decide whether or not he wants her.

8. SHE ASKS DEEP QUESTIONS

Because everything which is shallow and superficial has no meaning for her. When she’s truly in love, she wants to know everything about her beloved’s life. She wants to know what makes him happy, what his life purpose is, what his deepest fears and insecurities are. 

Unfortunately, questions like these make most guys feel insecure and not ‘macho’ enough.

It’s Okay To Love Someone Who Doesn’t Feel The Same As You

By
Stephanie Reeds
it doesn't feel the same

Falling for someone who doesn’t feel the same…

Love doesn’t happen when you want it to happen. Sometimes love happens when you least expect it. And sometimes it chooses the worst possible person for you. It makes you fall for someone who cannot love you the same way that you love them.

And you do. You fall head over heels with this person even though there are flashing, red signs everywhere around you telling you that what you are doing is wrong. You let our emotions consume you and you no longer see anything other than that person. They become your entire world. The air that you breathe. The food that you eat. The sweetest, most addictive drug that you’ve ever tried.

You know that you will never be together the way you want to be. The way you’ve prayed for your whole life to be with someone. But you cannot stop your heart from feeling what it feels. You simply cannot tell your heart who to love. You are not strong enough to make the right choice because the love that you feel overpowers your mind.

You thought you are stronger than this but turned out… you aren’t. So, you are out there all alone, pitying yourself. Trying hard to let go of those feelings. Crying your soul out over the fact that you two are not destined to be together. Hating your guts forever falling in love with him.

People are looking at you with despise. They are judging you for being so naïve.

BUT, refuse to be one of them. Maybe it’s because I’ve already been through the same pain that you are experiencing. Maybe because I am not quick to judge. Especially not people with sadness in their eyes.

Because only you know how it feels. And only you know what you are going through.

It is okay to love someone who doesn’t feel the same way as you. It is fine to leave an open window of hope in case they ever change their mind. As long as you are ready to accept the consequences if they decide they want to leave you.

So, love them if that is what your heart wants. It’s okay. Don’t listen to what people have to say. It’s your life and your choice.

But just know that you can never force them to do anything against their will. Know that you might wake up tomorrow and realize that they’ve given up on you. Know that one day they may break your heart in a thousand pieces. Most importantly, know that if it ever comes to that, you are the only one who can get yourself out of that mess.

The impact of meditation for recovery

By
Elizabeth Williams

The early months of recovery can be a particularly trying time for addicts. As they attempt to adjust to life without drug abuse, they may struggle to think clearly – a symptom termed as ‘mental fuzziness.’ They’ll often struggle with stabilizing their emotions as well.

Unfortunately, those who fail to overcome these challenges in this period are more likely to relapse. Thankfully, there’s an excellent tool available that enhances their chances of achieving a full recovery: mindfulness meditation.

What is mindfulness meditation?

Mindfulness meditation is a mental training practice the involves the focusing of the mind (such as your thoughts, emotions, and sensations) in the present moment. It’s the act of paying attention to whatever you are experiencing, as it occurs in real-time. Practitioners of mindfulness meditation have more control over their emotions and often experience enhanced mental clarity.

How does mindfulness meditation work?

But – can the benefits of mindfulness meditation be quantified? Well, research says yes – it seems that you can create new neural networks within your brain by retraining your mind through mindfulness practice!

For example, if you have issues with aggression, you can tap on mindfulness meditation to temper that aspect of yourself. Mindfulness meditation can allow you to become assertive and clear about your boundaries without entering into a self-sabotaging, hostile, and competitive mindset.

And mindfulness meditation’s benefits extend beyond temper regulation. It is capable of rewiring your left prefrontal cortex – a region associated with optimism, compassion, and self-observation – of the brain.

Ultimately, when daily attention is devoted to being mindful, you’ll learn to master the mind and open the doorway to the creativity available in open-mind consciousness.

So – how does it help with rehabilitation? 

Mindfulness meditation can be an incredibly useful tool for recovering drug addicts, explaining its popularity in great amount of holistic recovery programs. Let’s further examine why:

Reduces stress and anxiety 

The early recovery period can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. As a recovering addict, you need to overcome withdrawal symptoms, practice self-control, and (possibly) deal with the emotional backlash from family members who’ve now found out that you’re struggling with drug addiction.

Thankfully, the practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance your ability to manage stress; you’ll place focus on the present without excessively fretting over the future. Given that stress is a known contributing factor to the development and continuance of addiction problems, the management of stress and anxiety levels through mindfulness meditation can help you better deal with the highs and lows related to recovery.

Better control over cravings

No matter where you are in your recovery journey, you’re bound to face cravings – it’s merely an inevitable part of the process. The practice of mindfulness can teach you how to observe your thoughts related to cravings without being carried away by them.

As a result, you’ll come to realize that you are not always responsible for your thoughts, and nor do you have to be a victim to them. As a result, you’ll be able to make much better decisions, such as that of you staying clear of harmful drug usage.

Fosters better interpersonal relationships 

Recovering from addiction is challenging; the presence of an inner circle of supportive family members and friends can provide you with crucial encouragement, guidance, and comfort for those particularly tough days. Research has shown that social support has consistently been found to predict positive outcomes in overcoming addiction.

But – what if you face damaged interpersonal relationships because of your addiction issues? Well, mindfulness meditation can help; those who practice the technique find it easier to manage their interpersonal relationships.

The practice of meditation may serve as a critical first step in repairing the crucial relationships you hold dear to your heart. You’ll have your support group back in no time.

Types of mindfulness meditation

In general, recovering addicts undergoing a holistic rehab can choose from many different types of mindfulness meditation, depending on their preferences and goals.

Here are the six most common tactics employed in holistic drug rehabs:

  1. Traditional meditation – A practice in which you focus on your breath, or similar action. There are ten recommended objects that people can focus on when it comes to Buddhism.
  1. Moving meditation – This practice cultivates a meditative state – a shift of consciousness – while doing simple movements. It’s a way of calming the mind and creating awareness. This technique highlights the fact that movement can also pave the way to contemplation. Tai Chi and yoga are the two activities commonly used in holistic drug rehab centers.
  1. Walking meditation – The art of walking meditation teaches you how to be aware as you walk – to use the natural movement of walking to cultivate mindfulness and wakeful presence. Walking meditation is always carried out with small, measured steps.
  1. Body scan – Practitioners of body scan meditation focus attention on physical sensations in the body. This practice is completed through the ‘scanning’ of one’s awareness through the length of the body on a micro level; you need to give attention to every single inch of your body. The body scan is a useful practice to learn self-awareness about how physical experience is inherently tied to emotional experience.
  1. Loving-kindness meditation – A practice that teaches you to foster positive feelings of care and love, initially toward a close loved one, and then to yourself. You’ll also learn how to extend these favorable feelings to others, and eventually the whole world.
  1. Observing-thought meditation – A practice that teaches you to notice as thoughts arise, label them – for instance, as negative or positive, focused on others or yourself – but prevents you from getting absorbed in them.

The Bottom Line

Mindfulness meditation can be useful for recovering addicts who find themselves overwhelmed with thoughts of using again during the initial months of addiction recovery. If you’re a recovering addict seeking to glean the benefits of mindfulness meditation, be sure to set aside a daily time for formal meditation.

Start from 20 minutes, and build from there. Full recovery is just around the corner and a few meditations away! 

About the Author 

John Adkins is a professional writer and volunteer who deals with issues of mental health, addiction, and life in recovery. Also, he works with a foundation that helps drug addicts, so he has a clear insight into their problems. John is currently a writer for Addiction Resource.

The Path to Perfection – Why Today’s Fountain of Youth is Laser Skin Resurfacing and Scar Removal

By
Elizabeth Williams

Where do you go when your natural model potential is tarnished by unsightly scars?

Who can you turn to for your magical cure-all, the answer to all the problems and worries holding you back?

With so much at our disposal to reach the pinnacle of physical perfection, it seems a shame to allow events beyond your control to mar your chances or block your route to looking as fantastic as you feel.

There are plenty of at-home remedies you can take to keep you looking young and healthy, but what about rejuvenation on a deeper level?

Sometimes, life deals us a hand we’re simply unable to play without scarring. This is a truth well-known to Doctor Nathan Holt and his specialist team at Cambridge Laser Clinic, who embrace aesthetic procedures as a science and art.

Laser treatment to resurface skin or remove scars is one of the most advanced options available to restore your unblemished shine. A mighty weapon in battles against ageing and a whole host of scar tissues, not to mention a comfortable and convenient process.

Surely if Ponce de León had such a remarkable choice before him, his quest for the fabled Fountain of Youth would have been marked a resounding success.

If you’re ready to discover your miracle and say sayonara to scars from acne or trauma, sun-damaged skin, pigmentation irregularities, mottled and rough skin textures or the fine lines, wrinkles and laxness of ageing, you’re in the right place, and you hardly need to be a conquistador or embark on an epic journey, either.

How laser skin resurfacing removes scars. 

Firstly, there are many different types of lasers for the various categories of scars and work at hand. Depending on the resurfacing you need and the laser clinic you’ve found, experiences can vary.

The lasers practitioners use create beams of thermal energy which are targeted with pinpoint precision to vaporize damaged skin. Adjusting the type of laser used, dermatological experts like Nathan Holt and his team can effectively neutralise even the most obnoxiously defiant scars.

There are two main methods accompanying the array of lasers fit for the task.

Traditional laser skin resurfacing involves exposing the entire surface of the skin to the laser, removing the older layers to free the fresh skin beneath.

Fractional laser resurfacing only exposes part of the skin surface, leaving the uninjured skin surrounding the treatment site which acts as a barrier and promotes rapid recovery. Most skin and laser experts recommend this method.

Because of the way laser scar removal works, your body’s natural healing is stimulated. This provides the best possible outcomes as both old and new damaged cells are replaced with healthy, radiant skin.

What to expect from laser treatment. 

Just as with any bespoke diet or training regimen, the best first step is seeking expert advice.

During your consultation, you’ll get a feel for how many treatments you’ll need based on your goals and lifestyle.

The treatments themselves can be painful, but the local anaesthetic takes care of that to ensure minimal discomfort. For readers considering laser skin resurfacing for larger areas of scarring, it’s worth noting your procedure might need to be performed in a hospital under general anaesthetic instead. Night night.

After the treatment, your skin may feel similar to a minor sunburn. This tenderness can last a few days, and some of you may experience some swelling or flaking. This is all perfectly natural, and you’ll have had every opportunity to discuss this with your dedicated dermatologist beforehand.

Good news for those who hate their jobs, there’s a chance you’ll need some time off work while your skin heals. Again, your doctor will advise you during the consultation of the likelihood as this depends entirely on the scope of your treatment and the lasers used.

While healing, it’s important to accept you might need to modulate your activities. After all, you wouldn’t want to undo any of the miracle effects, would you?

Aftercare is always down to you, so make sure you take care of yourself and try to avoid situations which could put you at risk of infection with you heal, like public swimming or gym time.

But best of all?

The results are not only immediate but they’re progressive, too. This means that, even though your skin feels softer and silky smooth post-procedure, that velvety texture will only improve.

In the months which follow, your skin will appear flushed with new life, looking brighter and boasting more even tones. Can anyone in their right mind decry laser skin resurfacing and scar removal as the key to eternity?

Who should do the procedure? 

Choosing a professional practitioner is a vital first step in your journey to smoother skin with laser resurfacing.

While laser treatments could not be safer under optimal conditions, in the hands of the poorly trained they are equivalent to trusting your dietary plan to Santa.

To avoid causing more harm than good, do your research and be sure to pick a highly trained professional. Experience, training and qualifications are a stamp of excellence, one you should have eyes peeled for if you long for laser resurfacing to help your dream self rise to reality.

A true expert like Doctor Nathan Holt at his laser clinic in Cambridgeshire, UK, knows the points to discuss during the consultation. Dedicated dermatologists will understand the results you’re seeking and instil authentic faith in you that you’re dealing with a trusted specialist.

They will know the best lasers to use, and might even advertise the range at their disposal so you know the ones chosen for you are the right choices, not the only ones.

True laser removal specialists have trained eyes to recognise types and classifications of scars, enabling the optimal choice of therapy.

Did you know there are over eight categories of scarring, or how rare it is for a patient to present only one type?

Experts of the Cambridge skin and laser scene, Doc Holt and his team are among the pinnacle of restorative perfection, and you should settle for no less than the same.

Take advantage of your consultation to grill your prospect on everything which makes your situation unique, and force them to wrap you in the security of their abilities.

This is your body and beauty on the table, here. Treat it like royalty.

If your purported professional seems lacking in skills, equipment, knowledge or ethical standards, think twice.

Don’t sell yourself short on cheap alternatives. Professionalism need not break the bank, and at the Cambridge Laser Clinic, you can take those first steps with absolutely free consultations with no obligations.

Is the treatment suitable for everyone? 

The short answer is, maybe.

While it’s true that those with darker skin tones may experience less than ideal results, or that those prone to dermatological conditions, such as cold sores or blisters, could be unsuitable, this is no one size fits all sweeping statement.

This should be the final convincing you need to seek a consultation with a renown expert. Someone with proven experience you can trust, who can advise and guide you safely through to the other side of the Fountain of Youth.

If you’re ready to take that journey, check out Nathan Holt’s scar removal and laser skin resurfacing.

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY E-LIQUIDS INSTEAD OF CREATING THEM YOURSELF

By
Elizabeth Williams

A lot of people have recently turned to make their own e-liquids because they think it saves money. Even if we were to believe this argument, the risks far outweigh the benefits. Today we’re going to go over these disadvantages and tell you why you should just buy e-liquid instead of making it. 

SAFETY 

Safety is the utmost concern when you’re dealing with chemicals. Regardless of how much practice you’ve had, working with chemicals in an uncontrolled environment can still be a massive risk and one wrong calculation or one clumsy mistake can cost you more than just money and time. If you do not have the right safety equipment then chemical burns and nicotine poisoning is a genuine risk. 

COMPLEXITY 

Making your own e-juice isn’t a simple as mixing a few chemicals together. It takes calculations and thorough thought to produce a high-quality e-liquid. Having the wrong amounts of chemicals in your mixture could affect more than just the taste of the vapor and you could be inhaling the wrong concoction causing all manner of health complications. 

INCONSISTENT RESULTS 

If you’re not working in a controlled environment, you’re going to end up with very inconsistent results. A chemical reaction is not the same as cooking and different light and atmospheric factors can have a massive impact on the overall taste and feel of the e-liquid. There’s a reason why some states have laws to produce these products in controlled environments. Consistent results allow for consumer satisfaction. 

HAZARDOUS WASTE 

Considering you’re working with chemicals, a good amount of thought has to be put into the disposal of any residue or leftovers. The reason there are strict conditions under the law regarding the disposal of chemical waste is the level of risk it poses to the public if proper precautions are not taken. Not only would you be putting yourself at risk, but you could also be endangering innocent bystanders in the process. 

COST 

While many argue that one of the benefits of creating your own e-liquid is to that it saves money, the truth is it really doesn’t. Even if done properly and consistently, it still doesn’t change the fact that you’re spending a decent amount of time perfecting the recipe and then storing it. Buying e-liquid ends up being a lot cheaper when you consider the return on time and opportunity cost. 

LIMITED OPTIONS 

While you could make your own e-liquid, chances are you’ll be stuck making only one flavor of e-liquid at a time. The process is complex enough as it is and making two different liquids at the same time is just foolish especially since the above risks are potentially doubled. To “save money” you’ll have to make a pretty big batch too meaning you’re stuck with the flavor for a while! 

As you can see, the risks far outweigh the benefits. Other than just diluting the experience of vaping, the health hazards of making your own e-liquid should discourage you from even trying this venture. Let the professionals do what they’re good at and the rest of us can just enjoy the experience.

The Strongest Women Are Those Who Have Been Raised By Bad Fathers

By
Stephanie Reeds

When you grow up with a toxic father, a father who has never been there for you, you learn to take care of yourself. You grow up faster than you should. You leave your childhood behind because you need to focus on your growth and your wellbeing. You realize that you are the only one you can ever rely on and so you do.

When you grow up with a toxic father, you learn from a very young age that you cannot rely on other people in your life. You are forced to suck it all up and find a solution to all of your problems on your own. You decide that you are not going to rely on anyone, and especially on any man to bring give you love, stability, and joy in your life. You go through life on your own and you learn from your mistakes. It is hard not having a role model, but you do it. Because you are left with no choice.

When you grow up with a toxic father, you become an independent person. You learn how to take care of yourself. You learn everything there is to life. You fall ten times, but you get up eleven. Because you need to be there for yourself. You feel strong and brave enough to go through life all alone. You learn to accept things and let go. You start to earn a living. You become your savior, protector and your own help.

When you grow up with a toxic father, you do everything to take care of the other members of your family. You spend time with your mother and your siblings, and you do your best to make up for everything that your father ever took away from you. You stay strong for them when they feel like they are about to fall down. You look after them. You protect them and you cherish your relationships with them. You show them how grateful you are to have them in your life.

When you grow up with a toxic father, you create a family on your own. You dedicate your life on finding people that you can trust. You become very cautious about who gets to be your friend and who doesn’t. You reinvent a new definition of the word family. You spend your life with them, you confide in them, you do everything with them. Because you trust them. And because you know that blood has nothing to do with real love. That is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in life.

When you grow up with a toxic father, you understand the importance of loving yourself before loving anyone else. You realize that it is perfectly fine to cut off every person who doesn’t make you feel good, even if you end up all alone in the world. You learn to put yourself first and walk away when something doesn’t feel right.

Most importantly, when you grow up with a toxic father, you give your best to become a different person than he ever was. A better human being. A better friend. A better parent. Someone your future kids will look up to. Someone who will provide the people in their life with the love that they need. Someone who will not make the same mistakes. And someone who will be proud of the life they’ve created for themselves.

5 Amazing Things That Will Happen To You Once You Enter An Honest Relationship

By
Stephanie Reeds

Mutual understanding and respect are the pillars of a good relationship. But let’s face it. Without honesty and openness, none of that will be possible. Honesty is the most important thing that two people need to have if they want their love to thrive.

If you are not open about your wants, needs, fears, insecurities, expectations you cannot reach mutual understanding. And if you cannot understand yourself with the person you are with, then you most definitely cannot find love.

The sad reality is, a lot of people overlook this because they are afraid to show their true colors. They called that love and convince themselves that what they’re doing is right.

If you recognized yourself in this article, keep reading. Here are 5 things that will happen to you once you find a real and honest relationship:

1. You will grow emotionally and spiritually. Stepping into an honest and open relationship will help you grow in many aspects of your life. Loving someone from your heart will enrich your life and will make you realize that you’ve never really loved someone before this person. The love that you two share will give you the strength and courage to be exactly who you are and become the best versions of yourselves. You will grow both mentally and spiritually.

2. You will allow yourself to be vulnerable in front of your partner. This will come naturally. Once you enter a real relationship and start falling in love with a person who genuinely cares about you, you will no longer feel afraid to show them how fragile your heart is. You won’t be scared to undress and expose your soul to them. Revealing your wounds and scars will no longer terrify you. Because the trust you have in this person will make it all much easier. There will be no guessing games. Only love.

3. You will understand how important it is to communicate and make compromises. Entering a loving and honest relationship will make you a selfless person. It will open your heart and make you more considerate of other people’s feeling and needs, starting with your partner’s. You will learn that making compromising, cooperating and communicating are essential if you want to have a happy and thriving relationship.

4. You will learn to love yourself. Being loved by someone, and by loved, I mean truly, genuinely, unconditionally loved, will open your eyes and make you see your worth. The truth is, self-worth is something we must always be aware of, but you have to admit. The reality is often different. You cannot say that being in love never made you feel good about yourself. You cannot tell me that knowing someone loves you and wishes you well didn’t make you realize just how much you are worth it. 

5. You will learn to forgive easily. Last but not least, when you love someone from the bottom of your heart, there is no such thing as holding grudges. You start practicing the art of agreeing to disagree. You accept your differences. You stop holding anger in because now there is something more important than your ego. The love that you share is more sacred than anything else.

There’s No Such Thing As A Chance Meeting: 4 Types Of Cosmic Connections

By
Riley Cooper

The universe is complex and it works in mysterious ways. Everything that happens in it affects us in one way or another. This causes our reality to be filled with uncertainty. But, amidst all life’s uncertainties, there’s one thing that’s certain and that never changes. That’s the fact that everything that happens in our lives happens for a reason.

When someone walks into our lives, that’s not on account of mere chance – there is a reason behind it.

Regardless of where you’re headed on the journey called life, you encounter people from different educational, professional, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds every day. And no matter how long they stay in your life, these people don’t cross your path by sheer coincidence. Instead, they enter your life for a reason.

Some people you meet embark you on wonderful adventures and some embark you on unpleasant or even dangerous ones. But, they all add meaning and beauty to your life and teach you valuable lessons about it.

Here are 4 types of cosmic connections which you experience in life and which prove that you don’t meet anyone by chance:

1. Cosmic connections that awaken you.

Whenever you feel like you’ve lost track of your life and lack a sense of purpose and meaning in your life, the universe sends you these people to help you stay focused on your dreams, passions, and goals.

These people lead you in the direction your life is meant to go. With their words and actions, they inspire you to give up your bad, self-destructive habits and your old way of living and head towards your destiny. They motivate you to set new goals and incessantly search for effective ways to fulfill them.

They encourage you to never stop believing that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. They inspire you to never stop chasing your dreams.

These people don’t stay long in your life. They usually enter your life, open your eyes, and then walk away. However, they linger around you until you find your life purpose.

2. Cosmic connections that push you to grow.

These individuals are like teachers that walk into your life to teach you stuff that you would have had trouble learning on your own otherwise.

More often than not, they teach you hard lessons in order to help you identify your bad habits, insecurities, and fears. They also encourage you to work on yourself and look for ways to overcome your weaknesses.

These people enter your life with the main purpose of stimulating your personal growth and inspiring you to become the best version of yourself.

3. Cosmic connections that hold space.

These people stay in your life for a very short period of time. You encounter them every day and everywhere around you. These are the people you meet on the bus, in the mall, at parties, or in the streets.

But, just because these individuals stay in your life for a limited period of time, it doesn’t mean that they don’t influence your life in a deep and meaningful way.

The thing is that you never know who you are going to bump into when you leave your home and in what direction that encounter is going to take you. And more often than not, it’s exactly this kind of encounters that makes your life exciting.

4. Cosmic connections that stay.

These connections are the most valuable ones that you can ever experience and therefore, they’re the most difficult to find. These are the people that stick with you through thick and thin. They are always there to celebrate your successes with you, but also hold your hand and comfort you when you’re going through a rough time in life.

These are the people that genuinely love you and care about you. They deserve your attention, trust, and loyalty.

And whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a partner, these are the people you create a strong, deep, meaningful bond– a bond that lasts a lifetime.

8 Red Flags You’re In A Relationship With A Controlling, Toxic Guy

By
Riley Cooper

We all want to find that one person with whom we’ll experience genuine, pure, raw, once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. The person who will accept and cherish us exactly the way we are. The person who will be able to understand our insecurities and fears and who will be willing to help us overcome them.

We all want to find that one person who will make us feel warm when it’s cold, safe and supported when others criticize us, strong when we feel weak, and important when we doubt our worth.

We all want to find that one person with whom we’ll form a close, deep bond – a bond that will last a lifetime. But, not everyone is lucky enough to find that person.

Unfortunately, some people end up in poor, troubled, toxic relationships. Some people end up in a relationship with a person who takes their happiness away and sucks all the energy out of them. Someone who brings distress and emotional pain into their life instead of joy and a sense of fulfillment. Someone who is controlling and radiates toxicity.

Do you have a nagging suspicion that the guy you’re currently in a relationship with fits this description? Well, if he displays most of the following 8 behaviors, know that your suspicions are well-founded – he is controlling and toxic.

1. He makes you a scapegoat for all your relationship problems.

Controlling and toxic people never show their true colors at the beginning of a relationship. Instead, they pretend like they’re the most mature, most decent, and most responsible person you can ever meet. But, once you fall deeply in love with them, their mask falls down and they start showing their true face.

This is exactly what you’re going through in your relationship. You’re having trouble understanding how your partner has managed to turn from someone who was so sweet, compassionate, and loving into someone who makes you a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong in your relationship.

Whenever he makes a mistake or says something hurtful to you,  he lays the blame at your door for it. Instead of admitting his mistakes and taking personal responsibility for his bad actions, he makes you feel like it’s your fault.

Even when you did make a mistake, he doesn’t bother to assure you that he’s not mad at you for it and that you can correct it. Instead, he rubs your nose in it. 

2. He avoids committing to you.

He has no problem telling you “I love you” every single day, but he’s always coming up with excuses as to why not to commit to you. He feeds your hope with all kinds of big promises and grandiose stories about his love for you to keep you hooked.

When you’re in a relationship with this kind of guy, you can’t help but keep hoping that one day he’ll finally feel ready to commit to you. You keep fantasizing about the wedding party you two are going to have, the big house you’re going to live in and the kids you’re going to have. But, chances are that this big dream of yours is never going to come true.

3. He makes snide comments about your vulnerable sides.

The man who truly loves you and cares about you will never criticize you for or make fun of your weaknesses and fears. He’ll never call you “overly sensitive” when he notices you’re crying at a sad movie. He’ll never accuse you of being “dramatic” or “paranoid” when you get jealous because you found some “suspicious” messages from another woman on his phone. He’ll never make you feel weak or needy when you get emotional around him.

So, if your guy treats you in the opposite way, please, know that you’re not weak, you’re not unimportant, and there’s nothing wrong with you. He’s just toxic and unable to see your worth.

4. He keeps you waiting for him for hours to respond to your texts.

He can always find time to update his statuses on Facebook, but he rarely finds time to answer your calls or respond to your texts. When you try to complain to him about this, he’s always ready to come up with all kinds of excuses as to why he’s keeping you waiting for him for hours to text you back.

Usually his most commonly used excuse is: “Oh, I’m sorry, honey, I didn’t answer your call this morning because I was busy doing …” Yes, he always has more important things to do than answer or return your calls.

But, the truth is that the person who truly cares about you will never be too busy to talk to you. They will always find time to text you back or return your call.

5. He avoids solving your relationship problems.

Don’t worry, babe. There’s nothing wrong. This is something your guy tells you whenever you two have problems within the relationship. Instead of discussing your relationship problems with you and joining your efforts to solve them, he acts like everything is fine between you.

Instead of asking why you are worried when he notices that you’re upset, he tells you that it’s all in your head and that you have nothing to worry about. He makes you feel like you’re crazy and like you’re making things up.

But, here’s the truth: If he isn’t interested in resolving the problems that threaten to destroy your  relationship, it means he isn’t interested in you and your feelings either.

6. He only spends time with you when he wants.

When he needs your support or when he needs you to do him a favor, he always finds time to hang out with you. But, when you are the one who needs his help or support, he’s nowhere to be found.

When you call him on the phone because you want to talk to him about something important, he either returns your call after an hour or two or he doesn’t call you back at all. Why? Because your worries and problems are simply not his concern.

7. He rarely fulfills his promises.

When he’s alone with you, he tells you that he wants to introduce you to his family and friends, he wants to take you to that new restaurant that you’ve been talking about for ages and telling him that you’d like to visit, he wants you two to do this and that, but as soon as he leaves, he forgets about his promises. They turn into dust. It’s like they were never uttered. Why?

Because they were never real. They were never honest. They were just hollow, false promises.

8. He won’t let go of you.

Even if you try to end the relationship and leave him, he’ll do everything in his power to convince you to stay. But, no, don’t fool yourself. This is not because he’s madly in love with you. It’s because he doesn’t want to be deprived of his backup plan. He doesn’t want to lose the person who is always there for him and who makes him feel like he’s the most loved, respected, and important person in the world.

But, let me tell you something: If he succeeds in convincing you to stay with him, know he’ll never change and your relationship will never improve. Everything will just go back to how it was.

 

Moving to Atlanta: A Complete Relocation Checklist 

By
Elizabeth Williams

Are you in the process of moving to Atlanta? Well, this might be the best city to restart your life. Atlanta is referred to by many, as the star of the south. With a population of around 5.6 million, Atlanta shelters people of diverse cultures from all over the globe. There are numerous entertainment activities here, and you can’t miss one that you love. From theaters, social parks, sports, music festivals, and more, Atlanta is a pleasant place to live in.

However, before you can enjoy everything Atlanta has to offer, there is the process of moving. Whether you are relocating from a different country, a faraway city, or just from a short distance, moving has never been easy. For this reason, you must plan well in advance and make sure that everything is in order. This will help you avoid unnecessary disappointments and challenges when moving. 

Here is a complete moving checklist of the things you should do before moving:

1.    Research on your New Home

The first and most important thing to do before moving is to try and understand where you are moving to. Conducting thorough research on exactly where you will live, the neighborhood, transport system, security, and more, are things that will help you settle with ease. If possible, you should visit the place before your relocation to ensure you understand everything about where you can eat, shop, as well as schools for your kids. Alternatively, you can gather as much information as possible from the internet.

When you research thoroughly, it can make it easier for you to acquire an apartment or a home, and at favorable rates. Also, you will know whether to live near the city center or away in the suburbs, depending on your preference. 

2.    Research on the Movers Options

After you’ve completed your research on your new city and neighborhood, the next ideal step is to find the best movers for your belongings. If you want a stress-free moving process, you must find movers with experience and who will ensure your move is smooth. Request for quotes from various moving companies to get the best deals based on services and prices.

When moving to or out of Atlanta, GA, Atlanta movers is the best solution for all your moving problems. Whether it’s a local or long-distance moving, these movers can get you sorted. The movers will ensure that your belongings are well packed before moving them and they safely deliver them to your new city. If you want the movers to be there during your packing, or just for picking the items, the choice is yours. You will get a custom package depending on the distance. 

3.    Work Visa Application (for foreigners) 

For people relocating to Atlanta from other countries, you should make sure that you have a work visa before moving. If you are relocating for a job, your employer may help you obtain the visa. But if not, make sure you do find it in advance. This will ensure that your stay in Atlanta is legal and you won’t be bothered by the authorities. Also, you should understand how long it will take to obtain it, as well as its duration of validity. Atlanta’s economy includes the presence of several multinational companies, making the city a source of multiple job opportunities. 

4.    Sort your Stuff

Don’t just pack everything, even the junk and bring them to your new place. Make sure that before you start to pack, you have gone through your staff and identified things that you need to take with you. 

It is wise only to bring things that you will need and the ones that you cannot afford to leave behind. For the rest of the stuff, you can donate some to thrift stores such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill. For the ones you can sell, sites like eBay and Craigslist can help you with that.

For a city like Atlanta, the summers are beautiful, humid, and warm, while the winters are usually crisp and cold sometimes. Having these facts will ensure that you pack the right type of clothes that fits that weather. Avoid carrying what you don’t need.

5.    Get Packing Materials and Start Packing

Depending on which items you wish to take with you, it’s time for you to buy packing bags, boxes, tapes, and other packing materials. After this, you can now pack your items starting with the large ones, moving down to the smaller stuff. 

Ensure that you wrap up the delicate items before moving using a bubble wrap to ensure that they don’t break in transit. When you reach your destination, the unpacking should start with the delicate and valuable belongings.

6.    Get Medical Check-up

Before you can begin your journey, ensure that you are medically fit by first visiting your physician. Also, you should get prescriptions that will help you cope with the new environment, especially for those with some health issues. It is also good to research the medical facilities available at your new neighborhood in case of any emergency.

7.    Give your Bank and Postal Services your New Mailing Address

Ensure that you alert your bank on your new mailing address, as well as your previous local postal services. This will ensure that you get your mails to the new location and create a smooth transition.

8. Driver’s License

If you have moved from another country, your driver’s license will not be valid in Atlanta. Therefore, you should apply for the license within the first month after the relocation. In the meantime, you can use public means of transport, which is also very affordable and reliable if you live near the city center.

To apply for the new driver’s license, go to a customer service center, bring your passport as a means of identification, proof of residency, as well as your driver’s license. The license should be valid or have expired in less than two years ago. If not, you will have to undertake and pass a new driver’s license exam.

9.    Verify Your Dates

Ensure that you double-check all your necessities for moving, including insurance, utilities, schedules, and movers booking dates, among others. Also, check at the hotels you might need to stay during your journey. This will help you ensure that you don’t forget anything and that everything is in order before you move.

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