culturenlifestyle

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Affirmance a 365 project of affirmation by @jefffrandsen

Affirmance 

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43 Inspirational Quotes On Being Authentic To Yourself

Authenticity, living life being true to who you truly want to be. 

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10 Self-Improvement Musts

The world’s shortest course in self-help.

I believe these 10 items are most central to self-improvement:

Put in the time. There’s no substitute for time-on-task. “Working smarter” takes you only so far and, chances are, if you’re reading an article on self-improvement, you’re probably already working as smart as you can yet still feel the need to significantly improve. Whether it’s building on a strength or remediating a weakness, your choice is to push harder or to be satisfied with modest growth. I don't necessarily criticize the latter: It's called “satisficing” and it can be a wise approach. Perhaps your time could be better spent getting better at something else, taking care of necessities, or simply having fun.

Avoid time-sucks. That is what enables people to put in the time without working too many hours. Accomplishers avoid such time-sucks as excessive TV watching, chatting, clothes shopping when you already have more than enough clothes, video-game playing, time-consuming sports like golf, and going to a second cousin twice-removed’s third wedding in Kalamazoo.

Focus on what you can control. Successful people spend little time jawboning about their illness, politics, or people they can’t stand. They focus on what’s in their sphere of influence.

Specialize. In our ever more complicated world, it’s ever more difficult to be good enough as a generalist. You need to be at least relatively expert in some niche. For example, the generic marriage-and-family therapist could well be beset by the imposter syndrome because there’s so much science and especially art to marriage-and-family counseling. Unless you’re unusually brilliant and hard-working, it’s wiser to specialize in something: for example, interracial couples, transgendercouples, intellectually gifted children, physically abusive parents, men with stay-at-home wives, etc.

Take low-risk actions. Excessive rumination can lead to more fear and less accomplishment. So after a modest amount of reflection and perhaps research, follow that widely-agreed-on key to success: Ready, FIRE, Aim!  That is, it’s far easier to revise your way to excellence than to think it up in the abstract. You need the feedback of empiricism to adjust what you're doing. I like to invoke the metaphor of the person who'd like to sail from San Francisco to Hawaii. Yes, s/he should plan, but after just moderate planning, s/he'd be wise to set sail. On encountering the winds, the weather, s/he can adjust the plan. S/he'll likely get to Hawaii far faster than would the excessive planner.

Hang with people who bring out the best in you. Whether it's a boss, romantic partner, platonic friend, or activity partner, some people bring out the best in us while others drag us down. Of course, you can't always control who's in your life but, when you have discretion, spend time with those who help you flower.

Take the time to find a fine mentor(s.) A generous person who is successful and ethical in what you’re trying to develop or who is an all-around winner, is a treasure, and usually having such a mentor is requisite to success for all but the most gifted people. How to find a fine mentor? Ask a question of one or more respected people. If s/he responds and responds well, offer to be of help in any way you can. After a while, if you do your part and you’re lucky, your mentor will offer more help, become your cheerleader and champion, and be willing to open crucial doors for you.

Chart your progress. That can be as simple as, next to your desk, hanging a hand-drawn thermometer with milestones on the side, like nonprofits when they're trying to raise money. Or give yourself a daily letter grade A to F. Keep that grade to yourself or share it with your social-media friends or real friends.

Look inward. My unsuccessful clients tend to blame their setbacks mostly on externalities: their boss, the economy, their race, their gender, etc. In contrast, my successful clients mainly look inward to see what, if anything, they need to do differently, for example, acquire a new skill, upgrade their attitude, slow or stop their substance abuse, revise their job target upward, downward, sideways, or to a new career that's more aligned with their natural abilities.

Resolve to rebound. You’ve heard it before but it’s true: Even highly successful people fail. The difference between them and other people is that successful people tend to force themselves, yes force themselves, to rebound, not wallow. They see if there’s a lesson to be learned from the failure and then resolve to succeed at something at least as big. At the risk of being personal, when I was let go as a columnist in the San Francisco Chronicle, after an hour—yes just an hour—of feeling outraged, I channeled the anger. I said, “I’ll show them. I’ll go national! That very day, I sent clips to 10 national publications and since then, I’ve written a lot for such publications as TIME, The Atlantic, and yes, Psychology Today.

I read this aloud on YouTube.

#self improvement

[culturenlifestyle]

333+ Interesting Facts To Spike Up Your General Knowledge

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#facts #333 #General Knowledge #interesting

[culturenlifestyle]

Nigerian Photographer Takes Stunning Portraits Of Diverse African People

Bisola Mofeoluwa Bamuyiwa, owner of her own photography company BMB studio in Lagos, Nigeria. With a talent like hers you would think she had studied photography all her life, but in fact, her only degree is in Project Management Technology from the Lagos State University. Bamuyiwa said she was self-taught with the help of YouTube and photography mentors. In high-school she bought her first camera, documenting school parties, and began her professional career in 2012.

More Info: Instagram  |  boredpanda

#culture

[culturenlifestyle]

Top 10 Worst Decisions College Students Make

College is a two to four year adventure that many young people undertake as soon as they graduate from high school. They are eager to be out on their own and experience the world away from their parents and home town. As they make this journey, there are bound to be mistakes and wrong decisions, and here are some of the top worst decisions college students make:

1. Not Taking General Classes Seriously

Many freshmen in college try to gloss over the general classes that everyone is required to take such as English Composition, Algebra, or other beginning courses. They mistakenly believe that these courses are unimportant and an easy “A” grade. However, some end up finding out that this is not the case, and they could end up with a low grade, which later impacts their entire GPA for their college cumulative grades.

2. Misusing Student Loan Monies

If a college student takes out a student loan to pay their college tuition, they sometimes make the mistake of using the money for things other than paying off their tuition. This is not a good idea, as eventually they will not only have to pay for the tuition somehow, but they will also have thousands of dollars in student loans to pay back as well.

3. Not getting work or internship experience

Most employers want to hire people with previous experience whether it is paid or unpaid. They may require that applicants have that four year college degree, but they also want to know that the person is dedicated enough to actually work and do the job and isn’t just book smart. So, if a student is attending college and has the opportunity to get some on the job experience in their job field, even something like an unpaid internship, it could be the edge that puts them over the top when applying for a job when they graduate.

4. Taking too many classes at once

College isn’t the same as high school and many students don’t realize this until they have already gotten themselves overloaded with classes and responsibilities. Trying to take two or three extra classes in a semester is a good way to get burned out fast. Learn your limits and don’t take on more classes than you can handle. After all, you need some free time and breathing room as well to balance things out and relieve stress. 

Stress can cause a lack of sleep and that means a low immune system and more susceptibility to things like the flu or colds, which won’t do anyone any good because you won’t be attending any classes in that condition.

5. Partying too much

There’s nothing wrong with attending a few parties while going to college, but some of these end up causing issues that can affect someone forever. For instance, if you end up with a DUI you will owe thousands of dollars in fines, could lose your driver’s license and could even be kicked out of school. Or, having unprotected sex could seem like fun, but it could lead to pregnancy, or worse, you could get a sexually transmitted disease. 

Alcohol and illegal drugs can ruin your life in these and many ways. So, always be aware of what you are doing, drink responsibly and don’t use illegal drugs.

6. Stressing Over Choosing a MajorMany students are unsure what to major in when they go to college. This causes them a lot of stress since it can help to determine their job in the future. However, instead of stressing out, students in this situation should choose some sort of general degree program like business or communications. 

This way they are prepared for several different types of careers. Besides, you can always go on to get a Master’s degree in a different and more concentrated field of study if you so desire.

7. Not Taking Class in Something They Don’t Know About

Many students map out all four years of their schooling without leaving wiggle room to add in a few odds and ends classes on unknown topics. It’s a good idea to take some classes in areas you never thought of in order to see if your passions really lie in other areas than you thought. 

This can also help those who are having trouble determining their major. If nothing else, they get the fun of learning something new and different.

8. Not Having a Roommate

You may believe it is much better to always have a single room and never have a roommate so that you have more time to study or don’t have to deal with another person causing you any issues. 

However, in life we all must learn how to deal with other people and one of the best ways to do this is to have a roommate in college you have to learn to live around. This way you have a head start in learning how to negotiate with people you don’t know and it’s in a fairly safe environment where you can make mistakes and not do something like lose your job or get a divorce. Plus, who knows? This person could end up being the best friend you have ever had.

9. Not being true to yourself

People in college are usually under a lot of pressure to be like everyone else around them. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be true to who you really are in life. Don’t disrespect yourself. College is a good way to discover new things and meet new people, but you also need to be true to your conscience and follow your own beliefs to keep your self-respect. People will also look up to you and respect you more for being your own man.

10. Not actually graduating.

One of the worst things a student can do is just plain quit and never graduate at all once they have started college. College is definitely a hard thing in many ways from leaving home to getting all the requirements for each class done and you need to have the gumption to stick with your commitment and get that degree. You’ll respect yourself more and be proud that you got it done.

via onlineschoolsfaq.com

#College

[culturenlifestyle]

The Love Style of Each Zodiac Sign

How do you typically behave in matters of the heart? Every sign has a particular "love signature" that tells how you like to love and be loved in return. Your elemental love nature will give you clues about whether you are shy, outgoing, or passive in matters of the heart. 

Read on to determine your love operating style and that of your romantic prospects.

Aries: Passion and fiery heat is your love operating style. You like to go for the gusto, taking bold action on your feelings. You are courageous and upfront in relationships and let others know exactly where you stand. 

Taurus: Slow and sensual, you know exactly who and what you want. Your "Earth child" love is comforting and grounding for all who encounter its soothing touch. You are loyal and patient in love and want a partner who appreciates this. Gemini: A meeting of the minds is your highest value in love. For you, a stimulating and interesting debate is the best aphrodisiac, as you appreciate intelligence and wit above just about anything else. Cancer: Dreamy and intuitive, more than anything you want to be able to share your feelings with your partner and feel a sense of connection and understanding. You are nurturing and supportive in relationships and love to take care of the one you love. Leo: Creative and playful, Leo needs passion in love. You want to entertain and be entertained in relationships, as boredom is the kiss of death. Your nature demands that you be the center of attention for your romantic partner or you will soon lose interest. Virgo: Your analytical, thoughtful, and sometimes moody mentality demands that your mate show you just how much he or she loves you. You want regular verbal reminders that you are appreciated, and tokens of affection really lift your spirits. Receiving also makes you a generous giver. Libra: Romantic and social, you are always thinking of thoughtful ways to please your partner. It's important that conflicts are minimal in your relationships as they disrupt your sense of balance and harmony, so you prefer a relationship where diplomacy rules. Scorpio: Your emotionally intense nature demands a deep and powerful connection with your love interest. Superficiality is a turn-off to you, as you want to dive beneath the surface and explore your partner's more mysterious side. Sagittarius: Diversity and adventure are a must for you in love. You are enthusiastic and expansive in expressing your affections, but you do best in a relationship where you can have plenty of space to roam free and explore unknown territories. Capricorn: You are a committed and pragmatic lover and express your affection through actions more than emotions or words. You like to make your partner feel provided for, as if he or she has everything needed to feel comfortable in life. Aquarius: Freedom and individuality are crucial to your experience of love. You are an inventive and stimulating partner who always has something new and interesting to offer to your relationship, just as long as you have the space to be yourself. Pisces: Your sensitive and compassionate style of loving comes from your deeply spiritual nature. You have a lot of love to give and appreciate a relationship that allows you to safely open your heart without fear that you will be taken advantage of. 

INTERESTING AND FUN ZODIAC FACTS FOR EACH SIGN BELOW:

Aries  | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra  

Scorpio | Sagittarius  | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces

#astrology

[culturenlifestyle]

55 Most Inspiring Madonna Quotes

Madonna is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She achieved popularity by pushing the boundaries of lyrical content in mainstream popular music and imagery in her music videos, which became a fixture on MTV.

Last year, Madonna was named as Woman of the Year, and her speech after being given the award is featured towards the bottom of this article.

wealthygorilla gathered an incredibly inspiring and moving collection of Madonna quotes:

55 Most Inspiring Madonna Quotes

1. 

“A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want.” 

– Madonna

2. 

“Ever since my daughter was born I feel the fleetingness of time. And I don’t want to waste it on getting the perfect lip color.” 

– Madonna

3. 

“I am because we are. We all bleed the same color. We all want to love and be loved.” 

– Madonna

4. 

“I laugh at myself. I don’t take myself completely seriously. I think that’s another quality that people have to hold on to… you have to laugh, especially at yourself.” 

– Madonna

5. 

“I think the ultimate challenge is to have some kind of style and grace, even though you haven’t got money, or standing in society, or formal education. I had a very middle, lower-middle class sort of upbringing, but I identify with people who’ve had, at some point in their lives to struggle to survive. It adds another color to your character.” 

– Madonna

6. 

“I wouldn’t have turned out the way I was if I didn’t have all those old-fashioned values to rebel against.” 

– Madonna

7. 

“I’m not interested in being Wonder Woman in the delivery room. Give me drugs.” 

– Madonna

8. 

“It’s not my nature to just kick back.” 

– Madonna

9. 

“Never forget to dream.” 

– Madonna

10. 

“Power is being told you’re not loved and not being destroyed by it.” 

– Madonna

11. 

“There’s no such thing as the perfect soul mate. If you meet someone and you think they’re perfect, you better run as fast as you can in the other direction. ‘Cos your soulmate is the person that pushes all your buttons, pisses you off on a regular basis, and makes you face your s***.” 

– Madonna

12. 

“Better to live one year as a tiger, than a hundred as a sheep.” 

– Madonna

13. 

“Everybody loves you when they are about to cum.” 

– Madonna

14. 

“I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.” 

– Madonna

15. 

“I must have been Japanese in a previous life. I’m pretty sure I was a warrioress. I can’t explain it, I just know. I’m good at fighting – fighting with a big sword.” 

– Madonna

16. 

“I think you can be defiant and rebellious and still be strong and positive.” 

– Madonna

17. 

“I’d like to think I am taking people on a journey; I am not just entertaining people, but giving them something to think about when they leave.” 

– Madonna

18. 

“I’m tough, I’m ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” 

– Madonna

19. 

“Listen, everyone is entitled to my opinion.” 

– Madonna

20. 

“No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.” 

– Madonna

21. 

“Sometimes I look back at myself and remember things I used to say, or my hairstyle, and I cringe.” 

– Madonna

22. 

“Things were a lot simpler in Detroit. I didn’t care about anything but boyfriends.” 

– Madonna

23. 

“Catholicism is not a soothing religion. It’s a painful religion. We’re all gluttons for punishment.” 

– Madonna

24. 

“Everyone probably thinks that I’m a raving nymphomaniac, that I have an insatiable sexual appetite, when the truth is I’d rather read a book.” 

– Madonna

25. 

“I am rich and famous. I have a talented and gorgeous husband and two beautiful children. I could go on.” 

– Madonna

26. 

“I sometimes think I was born to live up to my name. How could I be anything else but what I am having been named Madonna? I would either have ended up a nun or this.” 

– Madonna

27. 

“I want to be like Gandhi and Martin Luther King and John Lennon but I want to Stay Alive.” 

– Madonna

28. 

“I’d love to be a memorable figure in the history of entertainment in some sexual, comic, tragic way. I’d like to leave the impression that Marilyn Monroe did, to be able to arouse so many different feelings in people.” 

– Madonna

29. 

“I’ve been popular and unpopular successful and unsuccessful loved and loathed and I know how meaningless it all is. Therefore I feel free to take whatever risks I want.” 

– Madonna

30. 

“My father was very strong. I don’t agree with a lot of the ways he brought me up. I don’t agree with a lot of his values, but he did have a lot of integrity, and if he told us not to do something, he didn’t do it either.” 

– Madonna

31. 

“Only when I’m dancing can I feel this free.” 

– Madonna

32. 

“The last thing I want is to raise a brat. We could definitely go down the wrong road. I don’t want Lola to have everything she wants. I want her to appreciate things, and not to be presumptuous. I want her to have manners and social graces.” 

– Madonna

33. 

“To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. To just give. That takes courage, because we don’t want to fall on our faces or leave ourselves open to hurt.” 

– Madonna

34. 

“Children always understand. They have open minds. They have built-in shit detectors.” 

– Madonna

35. 

“Fame is a by-product. Fame is something that should happen because you do work that speaks to people and people want to know about your work. Unfortunately the personality of people has taken over from the work and the artistry and it’s this thing now that stands on its own. I don’t think one should ever aspire to being famous.” 

– Madonna

36. 

“I feel just as hungry today as I did the day I left home.” 

– Madonna

37. 

“I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams.” 

– Madonna

38. 

“I went to New York. I had a dream. I wanted to be a big star. I didn’t know anybody. I wanted to dance. I wanted to sing. I wanted to do all those things. I wanted to make people happy. I wanted to be famous. I wanted everybody to love me. I wanted to be a star. I worked really hard and my dream came true.” 

– Madonna

39. 

“I’m not a feminist, I’m a humanist.” 

– Madonna

40. 

“I’ve never really lived a conventional life, so I think it’s quite foolish for me or anyone else to start thinking that I am going to start making conventional choices.” 

– Madonna

41. 

“My having a child is not for public consumption. It’s not a career move. It’s not a performance to be judged or rated. Nor is my role as a mother.” 

– Madonna

42. 

“People think they will wake up one day and I’ll be gone. But I’m never going away.” 

– Madonna

43. 

“The worst thing about being famous? I think it’s what everybody says…the lack of privacy and the idea that you’re not really allowed to make mistakes and everything that you do is viewed under a microscope.” 

– Madonna

44. 

“To me, the whole process of being a brush stroke in someone else’s painting is a little difficult” 

– Madonna

45. 

“Deep in my heart I’m concealing things that I’m longing to say. Scared to confess what I’m feeling – frightened you’ll slip away.” 

– Madonna

46. 

“I always wished that I could find someone as beautiful as you, but in the process I forgot that I was special too.” 

– Madonna

47. 

“I have the same goal I’ve had ever since I was a girl. I want to rule the world.” 

– Madonna

48. 

“I think my biggest flaw is my insecurity. I’m terribly insecure. I’m plagued with insecurities 24/7.” 

– Madonna

49. 

“I would like to see the Pope wearing my T-shirt.” 

– Madonna

50. 

“I’m not going to compromise my artistic integrity.” 

– Madonna

51. 

“If I was a girl again, I would like to be like my fans, I would like to be like Madonna.” 

– Madonna

52. 

“My priority is my family, absolutely, 100 percent.” 

– Madonna

53. 

“Poor is the man whose pleasures depend on the permission of another.” 

– Madonna

54. 

“There are moments when I can’t believe I’m as old as I am. But I feel better physically than I did 10 years ago. I don’t think, Oh God, I’m missing something.” 

– Madonna

55. 

“When I’m hungry, I eat. When I’m thirsty, I drink. When I feel like saying something, I say it.” 

– Madonna

Read more at:

https://wealthygorilla.com

#madonna #quotes

[culturenlifestyle]

43 Inspirational Quotes On Being Authentic To Yourself

Authenticity, living life being true to who you truly want to be. 

“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let out true selves be seen.” Brene Brown

“Authenticity starts in the heart.” 

Brian D’Angelo

“Authenticity over everything.” 

Anonymous

“If you’re your authentic self, you have no competition.” 

Anonymous

“Don’t trade your authenticity for approval.” 

Anonymous

“Honesty and authenticity are a big deal for me.” 

Scarlett Thomas

“Authenticity: The courage to be yourself.” 

Anonymous

“Be fearlessly authentic.” 

Anonymous

“Authenticity is magnetic.” 

Anonymous

“Authenticity is more important.” 

Anonymous

“Less perfection. More authenticity.” 

Anonymous

“Don’t talk about it, be about it.” 

Anonymous

“Hard times arouse an instinctive desire for authenticity.” 

Coco Chanel

“Authenticity requires a certain measure of vulnerability, transparency, and integrity.” 

Janet Louise Stephenson

“I’ve always loved the idea of not being what people expect me to be.” 

Dita Von Teese

“Authenticity is your most precious commodity as a leader.” 

Marcus Buckingham

“You attract the right things when you have a sense of who you are.” 

Amy Poehler

“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.” 

Friedrich Nietzsche

“To become conscious and aware, we must become authentic. Authenticity is the highest form of being.” 

Teal Swan

“We are constantly invited to be who we are.” 

Henry David Thoreau

“Living from a place of authenticity is difficult because those living in distortion see you as a threat to their delusion and some are so attached to that delusion that they will behave in erratic ways to defend their ego’s projection of wounding.” 

Suzanne Wagner

“Aspire to be authentic.” 

Yann Martel

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” 

E.E. Cummings

“When you are authentic, you create a certain energy, people want to be around you because you are unique.” 

Andie MacDowell

“Accept no one’s definition of your life, define yourself.” 

Anonymous

“Only the truth of who you are, if realized, will set you free.” 

Eckhart Tolle

“To become authentic we require a thirst for freedom.” 

Don Mateo Sol

“I choose to be authentic in everything I do.” 

India Arie

“Have the courage to be who you want to be, in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else.” 

ATGW

“Authenticity is about being true to who you are.” 

Michael Jordan

“As I began to love myself. I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living my own truth. Today I know this is authenticity.” 

Charlie Chaplin

“Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, ‘This is the real me,’ and when you have found that attitude, follow it.” 

William James

“Uncover your true self.” 

Anonymous

” Authenticity is more than speaking; Authenticity is also about doing. Every decision we make says something about who we are.” 

Simon Sinek

“When you show up authentic, you create the space for others to do the same. Walk in your truth.”

Anonymous

“Stay true to your brand and true to your voice and audiences will respond to that authenticity with enthusiasm and passion.” 

Kevin Spacey

“The quality of your life is directly related to the authenticity of the dreams you choose to follow.” 

Anonymous

“Authenticity is at the heart of success.” 

Anonymous

“Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” 

Oscar Wilde

“Being sincere and true to yourself defines your authenticity.” 

Arsenio V Manalo Jr

“Own who you are.” 

Anonymous

“I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as I’ve become. If I had, I’d have done it a lot earlier.” 

Oprah Winfrey

“We have to dare to be ourselves.” 

May Sarton

via 43 Inspirational Quotes On Being Authentic To Yourself By Asad Meah

#wordsnquotes #note to self #qotd #quoteoftheday #quotes #quote #alternative #grunge #indie #hipster #vintage #words #literature #lit #teen #teenager #love #inspiration #motivation #black and white #feelings #thoughts #advice #text #Self Improvement #Happiness #Relationships #Dating #authenticity

[culturenlifestyle]

Almost 40 Years Ago A 16-Year-Old Started Planting A Tree Every Day On A Remote Island, And Now It’s Unrecognizable

The largest river island in the world, Majuli, may disappear. Over the last 70 years, Majuli has shrunk by more than half and there are concerns it will be submerged in the next 20 years. 

The island is under constant threat due to the extensive soil erosion on its banks. The reason for this is thought to be the large embankments built in towns up the Brahmaputra river to protect them during the monsoon season which redirect the devastating fury of the river to the islet. Since 1991, over 35 villages have been washed away. And while Indian authorities are trying to figure out how to save the island, its life may have even been shorter if it wasn’t for one local environmental activist.

via boredpanda

Jadav Payeng lives on the biggest river island in the world, Majuli

The island, however, is under constant threat due to the extensive soil erosion on its banks

Over the last 70 years, Majuli has shrunk by more than half and there are concerns it will be submerged in the next 20 years

But its life may have even been shorter if it wasn’t for Jadav

Everything started in 1979 when he was only 16 years old

Image credits: Theforestmanofindia

He encountered a large number of snakes that had died due to excessive heat after floods washed them onto the tree-less sandbar

Image credits: William D McMaster

There and then, Jadav made it his life’s mission to save Majuli from erosion by planting trees

Image credits: bijitdutta

And he has been doing it every day for the last 39 years

Image credits: bijitdutta

He has planted 550 hectares of forest – larger than Central Park in New York City (340 hectares)

Image credits: bijitdutta

And it has become home to many animals

Image credits: 101 India

Including Bengal tigers and Indian rhinoceros

Image credits: William D McMaster

Even a herd of over 100 elephants regularly visit it every year

Image credits: 101 India

The reason why Majuli is shrinking has a lot to do with the large embankments up the Brahmaputra river

Image credits: 101 India

People built them for protection from everything the monsoon season throws at them

Image credits: William D McMaster

But the embankments redirect the devastating fury of the river to the island

Image credits: William D McMaster

To learn more about the “Forest Man of India” and his fight, watch the short documentary below

Many people are already in awe of this capeless hero

[This story was originally posted on boredpanda]

#culture #news #Environment #inspirational

[culturenlifestyle]

21 Ways Your Life Changes From Your 20s To Your 30s

via boredpanda

#lol #comics #culturenlifestyle #culture

[culturenlifestyle]

Affirmance a 365 project of affirmation by @jefffrandsen

Affirmance 

via  (Instagram)

#wordsnquotes #note to self #qotd #quoteoftheday #quotes #quote #alternative #grunge #indie #hipster #vintage #affirmations #words #literature #lit #teen #teenager #love #inspiration #motivation #black and white #feelings #thoughts #advice #text #Self Improvement #Happiness #Relationships #Dating

[culturenlifestyle]

Top 6 Free Online ACT Prep Courses

Preparing for the ACT Exam Doesn't Need to Be Expensive

There's no need to shell out hundreds of dollars to prepare for the ACT. While some of the sites below offer paid products along with their free services, the free content is substantial and helpful enough to have significant value on its own.

For some students, the structure, deadlines, and teacher interactions that come with an $800 course from Kaplan or Princeton Review will be a worthwhile investment. If, however, you have the focus and motivation to work through many of the materials below independently, you will undoubtedly see a meaningful increase in your ACT scores without spending a penny.

ACT Academy

ACT Academy is a test prep product created by the makers of the ACT. For that reason, the questions can be counted on to be representative of the real exam. Students take practice questions in all four content areas of the ACT: Math, Science, English, and Reading. Features of ACT Academy include:

Dozens of instructional videos for each subject area on the exam.

Practice questions for each subject area broken down into subtopics to help students identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Detailed explanations of the answers to each practice question.

A full-length practice test.

An 18-day practice schedule with informational videos and practice quizzes assigned for each day.

ACT predicts that each of the four practice sections will take about 40 minutes, and the full length practice test will take 160 minutes. Watching all of the videos on the site would take another few hours.

The amount of content at ACT Academy isn't huge, and you'll need to purchase the company's other prep products if you want multiple practice exams and more personalized, detailed study materials. That said, ACT Academy is an excellent product for students seeking just a few hours of additional prep time.

PrepFactory

PrepFactory.com has the most fun, interactive, and engaging user interface of all the sites on this list. It also has a personalized approach, allowing users to hone in on their weaknesses. Specific features include:

A pre-quiz to assess your strengths and weaknesses.

A personalized study path to work on your areas of weakness.

Interactive, game-like questions and a point (xp) system to track your progress as you learn.

Interactive games to play with friends or other students using the site.

Tools for teachers to create courses.

While the graphics and functionality at PrepFactory are excellent, you'll find better practice questions on some of the other sites on this list. There is plenty of good content, but some of the questions seemed overly simple, and a few had awkward or slightly unclear wording. You also won't get a full-length practice test to prepare you for the actual testing experience of the ACT.

NUMBER2

NUMBER2.com is a rather understated website with simple graphics and a relatively unsophisticated user interface (especially when compared to a site like PrepFactory). That said, the site has solid materials for free ACT preparation. Features include:

Overviews of each section of the ACT.

Online tutorials for each content area on the ACT

Test taking tips.

Numerous practice questions for each subject area on the test.

Detailed explanations of the answers to each question.

Personalized tracking of your progress.

A personal percentile ranking for each subject area.

The content does not appear to be actively managed, so some questions seem rather dated, and the questions may not be in step with the most recently tweaks to the ACT. That said, there's a lot of good free content here to help you prep for the ACT.

McGraw-Hill Education Practice Plus

McGraw-Hill is primarily a textbook publisher, so it shouldn't be a surprise that their goal is not just to help you do better on the ACT, but also to sell their ACT prep books. However, the tools provided by McGraw-Hill are some of the best ones you'll find online for free. At McGraw-Hill Education Practice Plus, you'll the following tools to help you improve your ACT score:

13 videos to help with ACT questions ranging from quadratic expressions to grammar.

4 ACT practice tests with explanations for every question; students have the option of taking the test timed or untimed.

8 mini quizzes (two for each ACT subject area).

The best way to improve your ACT score is by completing practice questions and reading explanations of the answers. The McGraw-Hill test prep materials aren't game-like and gimmicky like some websites, and your study materials won't be customized to your particular strengths and weaknesses, but it is an excellent resource for getting some quality practice ACT questions.

BWS Education Consulting

BWS Education Consulting offers many paid tutoring and test prep services. However, on their website, you will also find free practice tests in ACT English, Math, Reading, and Science. The tests mirror the sections of the ACT well, and can be printed in order to simulate the test-taking experience. Each test has an answer key, but answer explanations are not provided.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy does not have an area devoted to the ACT, so it may seem like a strange site to include on this list. However, Khan Academy has some of the best free SAT resources available on the web, and you'll find that many areas of the SAT overlap with content areas on the ACT. Khan Academy should not be your only source for ACT prep, but it can be extremely useful in the following areas:

Heart of algebra

Passport to advanced mathematics

Grammar and effective language use

Writing and language

Reading

Essay (if you plan to take the ACT with the optional essay exam)

The SAT does not have a science section, so you won't find any prep material for the ACT Science section on Khan Academy. However, if you're planning to take both the SAT and the ACT, Khan Academy is an excellent free resource to prepare for both exams.

Grove, Allen. "Top 6 Free Online ACT Prep Courses." ThoughtCo, Jun. 7, 2018

www.thoughtco.com

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 Fix your sleeping pattern and get into a routine; wake up in the morning and fall asleep at night. It makes a difference.

The state of your body affects your state of mind. When people fall into depressed moods their shoulders hunch from the drop in energy. If you don’t fix this, it’s going to be hard to come out of it, as it will create a feedback loop. 

So do weights to pull back, straighten and strengthen your shoulders. Start doing plank core exercises every night or second night (10 in a row, hold for 10 seconds each) and find a type of cardio you enjoy. It took me a while to find out jump rope works for me, and now I actually look forward to my sessions.  Straightening out your back/ pulling back your shoulders and strengthening your abdomen is also going to bring down your cortisol levels, make projecting your voice so much easier and naturally boost your confidence levels.

Get a job, any job. Having a job is going to make your emotional state so much less reactive; your brain knows whether or not you can support yourself and afford to stay alive, so having a job is very important.

Give love to the people around you whenever you can. Be kind, make jokes; connect with people.

Depression is often linked to not discharging emotions, particularly anger. So whenever something bothers you, voice it. For people who are less naturally assertive, this can be difficult, but over time it’ll get easier and you’ll get calmer in your delivery. And then when something makes you genuinely angry, you’ll be able to voice it constructively and get it out of your system.

Even if you have a legitimately bad day, don’t give in to the whole Netflix-as-self-care trend. Unless you seriously can’t move, make an effort to do something every single day; even if that’s just going for a walk. Try to make it a habit, so it’s easier to fall back on when things get really tough.

The herbal supplement Ginkgo is amazing at clearing brain fog up. I avoided taking it for years and completely regret it. It’s like a very mild, natural and healthy version of Aderal- for some, it works as a ‘intelligence booster’. And always order it online, because the department store prices are significantly more expensive.

Look into rescue remedy/ Bach’s Flowers Remedies. For some people, it’s the only way they can get out of the house. It’s incredible at de-escalating anxiety, and there is a flower remedy solution for a huge range of mental health ailments.

You might have relationship stuff you haven’t resolved/moved on from. Maybe you haven’t figured out who was at fault, or the ways in which the involved parties messed up. If that is the case, you need to either talk it out or write about it until you clear everything up and can move on from it. A psychologist is great for this, but you could also accomplish it through journaling.

If you’re feeling really down because you’re stressed/overwhelmed, then take a moment to write down everything that is worrying you. After you’ve identified each thing that has accumulated into this stress exhaustion, write down the solution for each and every problem and a schedule for when you’ll tackle them. You’ll feel a lot more in control.

Organise your room so that it looks nice and everything is easy to navigate/access. If you’re someone who experiences frequent dips in mood, you need a straightforward wardrobe. So get a clothes rack or dedicate part of your wardrobe to ‘everyday essentials’ and set up a laundry hamper nearby. People tend to cycle through the same clothes and it’ll also help you find any gaps in your wardrobe.

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The project is inspired by the intersection of science, technology, maker culture in the Bay Area, and of course, the artists’ favorite book, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. HYBYCOZO was designed by 2 San Francisco artists who are hoping to take their passion for design, technology, geometry, and installation art to the next level and expand it into thought provoking art and design.

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Serge Beaulieu is an industrial designer whom recently led design at Fuseproject designing tech hardware, housewares, furniture and more. After doing stints at multiple design agencies, Serge is embarking on personal art and design ventures. Design/Lighting/Cozo

Yelena Filipchuk is an environmental scientist by trade and spent years studying natural patterns and bio-mimicry. She currently works at YouTube helping musicians and artists bring their content onto the platform.

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