by | May 25, 2018 | From the Heart |
Hey Beautiful People,
Social media was all a flutter this past weekend with the Royal Wedding nuptials and fanfare. How many people felt happy about themselves after watching it streamed online all over the world? How many people felt insecure and negative thoughts about their own image after watching the wedding? I am reading more and more how social media is making people feel depressed and leaving them with thoughts of insecurity about themselves. Simply watching a streamed program or putting up a picture on Instagram or Facebook can put a person into a state of depression because they don’t feel they measure up.
In the New York Times article, “You Asked: Is Social Media Making Me Miserable?” by Markham Heid,discusses how a social media can have a psychological impact of negativity.
“Social media overload may be even more detrimental for teens and adolescents, says Jean Twenge in the Times article, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of the forthcoming book iGen. “I think young people, especially, look at the so-called ‘highlight reels’ people post on social and compare themselves, so they may feel depressed or negative emotions as a result,” she says. Sites like Snapchat may be less about “performing” than some others—“but these sites go out of style so quickly now that it’s hard for the research to keep up,” she says.
Some experts challenge the cause-and-effect relationship between social media and negative mood, arguing that people who are prone to anxiety or isolation may be more likely to spend a lot of time on social media.
While that’s probably true, Vannucci and Twenge say the relationship seems to flow both ways—meaning people with anxiety or mood disorders are more likely to use social media compulsively, but that compulsive use may also promote these sorts of negative emotional states. “At least two studies have followed people over time and showed that heavy social media use came before lower psychological wellbeing and feelings of loneliness, rather than vice versa,” Twenge says.”
The Comparison Trap
The comparison trap is a dangerous place to live because you are never good enough. If you have made any of the following statements:
I will never get to have my Knight in Shining Armor or Prince Charming?
I will never get to live in a Castle or have all those luxury cars at my disposal?
How come my life can’t be a fairytale?
Why can’t I be thin like that?
How come I couldn’t of be a part of the Royal Family?
If you said or thought any of those statements, you will have to either cast down imaginations or completely turn off what you are watching if you can’t handle it. Negativity is a false sense of wanting what someone else has. You don’t know what price was paid and you haven’t been in the other person’s shoes. Comparison is a false sense of unattainable joy that you will never have because materialism is never enough.
Rapunzel Rapunzel Where Art Thou?
JTwisdom
I use to always want to have very long tailbone length hair because I would see someone with pretty long hair on YouTube and i would always wonder why my hair would not grow that long. One day someone complimented me on my hair and said that they wished they had hair like mine. Wait a minute, they are complimenting me. I am wishing for something that I already have right in from of me when I look in the mirror. I have to be thankful for what I have not matter how small they may seem in my eyes. Comparison is dangerous and will only bring you down and it can be hard to come up for air from that mess.
The scripture that popped in my head was 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
That means you get rid of that comparison thoughts out of your head because you are unique. Immediately when the thought comes up say I don’t believe that I am wonderful made and I am beautiful. You have gifts and qualities that only you can do and God has a purpose for your life. You have value and getting yours off of other people and look at your life and stay in your lane keeping focused.
by | May 22, 2018 | From the Heart |
Regardless of whether you’re the man or woman in a relationship, if you’re heading down a path of holy matrimony, you’re going to have to first pop the question. Even though you know you both love each other, there’s always a nervous knot in the pit of your stomach. It’s there because you think there could be a tiny chance that the person you love says no. So getting the proposal right is going to not just be in your romantic favor but psychological favor also. You could get down on one knee, put the ring on a piece of cake or write their name in the sand, how you do it is just as important as where and when. Even the most cliche ways of requesting their eternal love and faithfulness can be offset by the timing and the location.
Source Tumisu
Summer love
Knowing your partner and what they would go for is half the task of creating a truly memorable proposal. You can’t just rock up to the front door of their house or apartment and surprise them with a ring. The imaginative and mysterious technique by which you propose is going to make them feel special and as if they’re the only person that matters in the world. Even if it is just an engagement it needs to be a spectacle they will never forget. Summertime proposals at sunset or dawn are common and that’s because they work. There’s something mesmerizing about watching the sun dip or rise beyond the horizon. Psychologically it’s a new day or the end of a great day spending time together, so there’s a feeling or renewal and reassurance.
The nation
Only a fraction of society ever contemplates asking the person they love to marry them outside of the country they live and work in. it’s not convenient obviously because you have to make like you would a regular holiday. Packing all your things, having to deal with the stress of waking up early and things going wrong at the airport etc. it’s all a big headache for most people. Celebrities will make a big deal out of their love declarations and that’s because they can afford to. At 77 Diamonds they list the celebrity trends when it comes to engagement rings. Sports stars are more likely to fly off to the city of light i.e. Paris to make their proposal. While musicians will more likely stay in the US to start their martial journey. If you’re are thinking about going to another country for the scenery in order to make your proposal you should have more than just a picturesque backdrop. Does the place mean anything to you or your partner? How could it emotionally affect them and show them you made an effort to connect with them on a deeper level right at that moment.
When is the right time to propose, before or after a meal, at sunset or sunrise? It really depends on how you do it and the words you use to convey your emotions. Flying abroad won’t give you any magical powers. You need to express your love for your partner with sincerity and not rely on a tropical or ocean backdrop.
by | May 18, 2018 | From the Heart |
Caring for a loved one can happen in all kinds of ways. It might happen when someone in your family has an accident or falls ill. Or it could be a case of helping your elderly parents more as they reach their final years. How you go about caring for the person close to you is not always straightforward or easy to work out. But there are some basic principles and tips that will help you get started, so read on if you want to learn more about them right now.
Image Source
Educate Yourself First
Before you do anything else or go any further, you need to educate yourself. When you know what you’re doing, you will be able to care for the loved one much better. If they are dealing with a specific health problem, try to learn more about that problem so that you can address their needs in the correct way. You can talk to their doctor about this with them too if you want to.
Resist the Urge to do Too Much
Doing too much is something that can happen without you even realising that you’re doing it. There is always that urge to go the extra mile. But even if it seems like you’re just being helpful, it can often come across in the wrong way. No one wants to feel like they’re a burden to you, so focus on doing the important things and not going further than you really need to.
Try to Help Them be Independent if That’s Possible
Helping your loved one to be more independent is often the best thing that you can do. Of course, whether this is possible will depend on the situation you find yourselves in. But if you can do, you should certainly try to make sure that you’re pushing them towards independence so that they can regain confidence and get back to normal faster.
When the Time is Right, Get Extra Care
There are certain circumstances in which you can’t necessarily go it alone and do all the care tasks that need to be completed. If you are finding that the strain is too much, get the help that you need. There are carers out there that you can call upon, so you shouldn’t feel like you have to do it by yourself. Things spectrum healthcare cancer palliative care can also help in specific cases and when expert care is required.
Don’t Forget to Think About Your Own Wellbeing
Finally, you shouldn’t forget about how important it is for you to look after yourself. If you’re so focused on caring for the other person in your life, you can easily forget about what you should be doing for you. If you do ignore these things, you will only become less helpful and useful as a carer.
Caring for another person can be very difficult, and if you don’t really know what you’re doing, the beginning can be even more tricky. The tips outlined here should help you get to grips with it. And you will certainly learn things along the way that will help you to cope with the specifics of your situation too.
by | Apr 7, 2018 | From the Heart |
Hello Beautiful People,
From the title you are probably wondering what is this about. Well when I first heard about it, I was thinking the same thing. Monday, I was on Facebook scrolling on my phone seeing what was happening, or if I missed any birthdays. And I paused at this huge discussion about a recent article published from the New York Post titled, “Museum Slammed After Hiring White Curator.”
WikiCommons
“The Brooklyn Museum appointed last month Kristen Windmuller-Luna, as the Sills Family Consulting Curator, African Art. She has a Ph.D. in African art history from Princeton University, lectures in Columbia University’s department of art history and archaeology, and once worked as an educator for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she was responsible for adult and college gallery tours in the African galleries.” Dr. Windmuller-Lana is highly qualified for the position and came highly regarded.
The Museum’s Press Release details what she will be doing in her position.
“Windmuller-Luna will assess and rethink the Brooklyn Museum’s extensive holdings of African art, which is comprised of more than 6,000 objects, and organize an innovative, freshly conceived temporary installation showcasing the breadth and depth of the collection. Working with the curatorial team, she will focus on creating a visual dialogue between the African art collection and other significant works within the Museum’s holdings. She will also help develop dynamic opportunities for educational programming.”
The article said that the black community was outraged because the museum hired a white woman to the position of curator of its African art collection. Specifically, the activist group, Decolonize This Place wrote an open letter to the Brooklyn Museum of of its “tone-deaf decision” to hire Dr. Windmuller-Luna. “The hue and cry over this hire has brought to light a major disconnect between the governance of the museum and the communities of Brooklyn whom the institution is obliged to serve.”
On Facebook, the debate was ranging from disappointment to support. Some questions being asked: How can a white woman be a Curator of African Art? Was there no qualified black person for the position? To the opposite side of the spectrum: What’s wrong with a white person in this job if he/she is qualified to do the job? Why should being white instantly disqualify this position? Why are curatorial positions not more diverse? What can be done to change this?
This tweet really put a heavy shadow on the Brooklyn Museum’s decision.
After the uproar, the Brooklyn Museum defended its decision on choosing Dr. Windemuller-Luna for the position of African Curator, as quoted from the New York Times.
“Dr. Pasternak, Director of the Brooklyn Museum continues to stand by the hiring of Dr. Windmuller-Luna. She said, “We are thrilled to welcome Drew and Kristen to our fantastic curatorial team during this period of great momentum as we expand exhibitions, public programs, and educational reach,” said Anne Pasternak, Shelby White and Leon Levy Director.
We have to also look at the fact that not only African-Americans and African people study African art. There is not much diversity in this field. A 2015 Mellon Report states that 84% of Art museum curatorial positions are held by non-Hispanic whites.
Opening my Eyes
You may be wondering why this topic is so important to me that I am writing about it on my blog. Well, I myself am a museum professional and have had curatorial experience in the past. I first learned about museum career opportunities from my college advisor. She knew that I was interested in textiles and fashion and that I didn’t want to pursue retail, with my emphasis being Fashion Merchandising. She told me about the museum field and set up a meeting for me to meet with the textile curator at the local history museum. I ended up completing two internships and working a summer job with the museum. I gained a wealth of knowledge from those internships that I never thought I was able to get because I didn’t know it was available to me. The hands-on experience inspired me to learn more about what the museum field had to offer.
Today, I have a full-time position in a museum and work in the administrative side.
I believe that Parents and Teachers bringing children of all ethnicities to museums is an important way for them to have the freedom to learn and ask questions. Children can become interested in a subject he/she may not have considered before. Also, museum professionals play a part by engaging the students in conversations; whether it be programs or events, and showing them what a museum professional does from day to day. This can be an idea for a career or a college internship in the future.
How do you feel about the Brooklyn Museum hiring Dr. Windmuller-Luna as the Curator of African Art? Do you support them or think they should of went a different direction?
by JTwisdom | Apr 4, 2018 | From the Heart |
Today, we remember one of the darkest days in American History.
April 4, 1968
Outside Room 306, where Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
Martin Luther King, Jr. King had traveled to Memphis in support of the striking black sanitation workers who were protesting low wages and poor working conditions. King, staying at the Lorraine Motel, was planning a peaceful protest march with the workers. Tragically, an assassin’s bullet struck down King while he was standing on the balcony of the Motel on the evening of April 4th. At 6:01pm, a single bullet was fired from a rooming house across the street, killing the most influential civil rights leader of the 20th century.
The viewpoint of the Lorraine Motel from the rooming house, from where King’s assassin was positioned.
The Lorraine Motel became synonymous with the civil rights movement. The National Civil Rights Museum opened in 1991 on the site, incorporating King’s room and the rest of the Motel into the design of the Museum. My wife and I visited the Museum in 2012 to learn more about King and the civil rights movement. Read more about our visit to the museum, by clicking here!
Fifty years later, we remember King and his work to end racial discrimination and to bring equality to people of this country and around the world. I often think about how the nation would have been different had King been able to continue his work.
Has King’s dream of racial equality been achieved? What are we doing to ensure that the dream is kept alive? These are very relevant questions today because I often hear the same sun that is shining today was shining then. Well, that may be; but there’s still so much work to be done. King spoke of love and peace to make this a better world. In the news, we see more hate than we do peace.
What can we do?
It starts with love. We have to love ourselves and then love one another. It may sound cliche; but love is what makes the world go round. We have to be involved in our community and be involved in our schools and churches. I often hear people saying, “Is this 2018 or 1960?” Diversity is wonderful and describes what King believed and said in his speeches.
We read about the I Have A Dream speech, but I wanted to include the Jail No Bail Movement Instagram Post from the National Civil Rights Museum. He stood up for what’s right and this such a strong message.
The National Civil Rights Museum will be honoring King’s legacy on Wednesday, April 4th. Whether you are in Memphis or not you can participate in the #MLK50BellToll. “Places of worship, colleges, and institutions world wide will ring bells 39 times for each year King lived at 6:01pm, the time he expired.”
What is on your mind as we remember King’s legacy? What more needs to be done to make his dream is a reality? How far have we come? How far do we have to go? Leave a comment and let us have a conversation that can used to bring everyone together.
by | Mar 21, 2018 | Food, From the Heart |
Hi Beautiful People,
I know we have a lot of readers who are going through Lent right now.
What is Lent?
According to Dictionary.com, it is “the period preceding Easter that in the Christian Church is devoted to fasting, abstinence, and penitence in commemoration of Christ’s fasting in the wilderness. In the Western Church it runs from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday and so includes forty weekdays.”
Many people will give up sweets, soda, or even entire meals. While others will give up watching television or looking at their social media accounts. Whatever they give up, it is a way to remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made as He prepared for His death on the cross. It is also meant for Christians to draw closer to God and strengthen their faith in Him. If you’re looking for faith-related Easter movies, check out Pure Flix. This year, my hubby and I have decided to give up meat on Mondays. It is a small way for us to focus on our relationships with God and remember all that Jesus Christ has done for us.
While giving up meat is meant to be a spiritual sacrifice, there are also natural health benefits as well; including reducing your risk for heart disease, it lowers your risk for cancer, helps maintain a healthy body weight and living a longer life. In addition, going without meat can reduce your grocery costs and lower your healthcare costs as well (Information gathered from the Meatless Monday website).
It may seem hard to give up meat, but it can be done. With some thoughtful meal planner, it will become much easier as you go forward with it. If you develop a meal plan in advance, you will become aware of how much meat you have been eating; and you can look for alternative choices that don’t include meat. We wanted to share with you one our favorite recipes that we can say doesn’t make us feel like we are missing out on meat. A portobello mushroom sandwich is a tasty choice for anyone who likes mushrooms. By picking portabellas, they almost taste like meat because they are very hearty and have some substance to them. Here is our recipe.
Portabella Mushroom Sandwich
Portabella and Pepper Sandwich with Swiss cheese
Ingredients
— Portabella mushrooms
— 1 tbs. of olive oil
— Sliced onions, red and green bell peppers
— Sliced Swiss Cheese
— Garlic salt, seasoning salt, black pepper; or your favorite seasoning
— Multigrain bread or sourdough bun (optional)
Preparation
— Add olive oil into pan and turn on burner to medium heat.
— Add the desired amount of sliced portabella mushrooms
— Add the onions,red and green bell peppers
— When veggies and mushrooms are sautéed to your liking, top with swiss cheese
— Turn off burner and allow the cheese to melt
— Serve on a slice of your favorite bread or without
— Can be served with french fries and steamed veggies
— Total prep time is about five minutes
** The amount of mushroom, onions and peppers that you use will be depend on how big of sandwich you want.
** We use frozen mushrooms, onions and peppers. If you use fresh, start with sautéing the onions and peppers and then add in the mushrooms.
This is a simple recipe that makes for a quick and tasty meal. It is a perfect choice for Lent or for anyone who is looking for a healthier meal choice.
Are you giving up anything for Lent? Let us know in the comments section below what it is and why you are giving it up.
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