from FriendlyCom http://ift.tt/1AV2ZMh
from WordPress http://ift.tt/1DDYVBh
via http://ift.tt/1z371Va
from Tumblr http://ift.tt/1wyXNK2
from FriendlyCom http://ift.tt/1AV2ZMh
from FriendlyCom http://ift.tt/1AV2ZMh
via IFTTT
Lose yourself in the things you love for that is where you will find yourself too.
The post Lose yourself in the things you love for that is… appeared first on Lifehack.
If they do it often, it isn’t a mistake; it’s just their behavior.
The post If they do it often, it isn’t a mistake; it’s… appeared first on Lifehack.
If you don’t imagine, nothing ever happens at all. – John Green
The post If you don’t imagine, nothing ever happens at all. -… appeared first on Lifehack.
When was the last time you sent a handwritten letter to someone you care about?
Do you find out about important events through social media first?
In gatherings, do you look at your family and friends or the phone more?
Technology is a wonderful thing. It is meant to make our lives easier and make everyday processes more efficient, but while it has helped us, it might also be hurting us. Contact with other human beings can often be superficial. We forget the feeling and smell of a book with a long history, or the value of a single moment, one that doesn’t require a picture to be immortalized, but a good memory.
Have you ever asked yourself what you would do, who you would see, or where you would go if you weren’t busy on social media? Why can’t you have those experiences and take the social media with you?
Today, I’m sharing a video in which someone decided to play with the concept of being allergic to modern technological advances and devices. This video plays with the idea and concept of technology and the codependency often associated with it. This disease causes the protagonist to make some fascinating discoveries about himself, the world around him, and the people in it.
Maybe the video will open your eyes to some things around you too.
Featured photo credit: TECHNOPHOBE/CYPRIEN via youtube.com
The post This is What Happens When a Man Becomes Allergic to all Technological Things appeared first on Lifehack.
Harli Jordean began his obsessession with marbles at age six. In 2011, Harli was named the world’s youngest CEO at the age eight. His company Marble King, now sells speciality marbles at a price tag of up to $1000 US dollars. But what if you are not like Harli and don’t find your calling until much later in life? Later in life may be long after you’ve graduated from college and even after you’d worked in a career that you eventually realize you don’t love. But that’s ok. Like the old addage goes, “No time better than the present.”
Jeffery Brotman launched the bulk food warehouse Costco at the age 40 – that’s right – 40. I am sure you’ve heard plenty of people say that if you haven’t made it by 40, you probably won’t. Had Mr. Brotman believed that, we wouldn’t be shopping and saving in bulk at the ninth largest retailer in the world.
But Mr. Brotman isn’t the only person to find true genuis later in life. Henry Royce found his even later, founding the Rolls-Royce brand with partner Charles Rolls in 1904 at the age of 43.
Still not conviced? Sam Walton started the Walmart brand empire, also affectionately known as “Wally World” at the age of 44. In 2014 Walmart was named #19 on Forbes list of the world’s most valuable brands.
And the list goes on and on. In fact, there are more incredible examples included in the infographic featured here, which was created by information designer Anna Vital at startup organization Funders and Founders. You can peruse to find examples up to and including Charles Flint, who launched IBM at age 61, here.
Still thinking that you might be behind the curve ball in starting a new endeavor? Clearly you are selling yourself and your dreams short. Think about so many of the products and services that we have come to love and how old the genius was when he or she created it. Looks like you’ve got plenty of time. Just go for it!
Featured photo credit: FundersandFounders/AnaVital via fundersandfounders.com
The post This Infographic Will Make You Realize It’s Never Too Late Too Start appeared first on Lifehack.
If it’s still in your mind. It is worth taking the risk.
The post If it’s still in your mind. It is worth taking… appeared first on Lifehack.
Are you an effective communicator at work? If not, there’s no shame in admitting this, especially since there’s a lot that you can do about it. Even if you are simply hesistant about speaking up, you can actually add value by learning to become a more effective, engaged, and confident communicator using a few tried and true tips.
Consider the following five ways to hone your communication skills at work:
When people think about becoming a better communicator, listening is usually not the first thing that comes to mind. However, before you can raise your communication IQ, you must first learn to become a better listener. By listening in earnest to what others think, feel, and expect, you can learn to craft your message more effectively. Too often people dimiss this idea and simply focus on crafting responses to what others are saying, rather than listening with the intent to learn and connect more deeply.
We’re humans and by definition, “we’re meant to connect,” says Lucidity CEO and communication expert Michele Gilliam Morrissey. We need human interaction and for reasons that range from biology to sociology, connecting with others is what the survival of our species requires. Social media and technology may have revolutionized the way that we communicate and of course we may even enjoy them. However, they cannot replace the warm, intimate, and interactive conversations that have fueled our need to be connected.
By focusing on connecting and developing rapport with others, you lay the foundation for trust, which allows you to communicate more effectively and capture the undivided attention of your audience.
All great minds don’t necessarily think alike. And when they don’t, sometimes conflict can ensue. However, you can make the choice in advance not to become defensive and graciously allow others to express differing opinions without getting upset or lashing out. Also, because maintaining an open, positive, and collegial work environment is critical to supporting the lines of communication, being defensive is actually one of the least effective kinds of postures to assume. It also puts everyone else on edge, which is counterproductive.
Every opportunity to communciate, is an opportunity to become more effective and achieve specific goals. Get clear on which goal you are trying to accomplish before you begin. It’s easy to get sidetracked once an conversational exchange begins, but if you know which points you need to cover – even if you have to write them down – then you will be far more successful than if you haphazardly muddle your way through the conversation.
Additionally, if you begin to run short on time, you have the option of tabling your point(s) until the next available opportunity without sacrificing the meat of the discussion. You will also feel like you are making progress because you are keenly focused on achieving specific outcomes.
Becoming a more effective communicator may require you to step outside of your comfort zone to become better. Maybe you are used to keeping quiet during critical discussions at work for fear that your ideas may be rejected. But why not begin to speak up and become part of needed solutions, instead of leaving them for others to solve?
Maybe you could benefit from communication training, but fear getting constructive feedback from others. If so, why not encourage yourself to be vulnerable and challenge yourself to grow for the greater good? Your ability to communicate will certainly improve and over time, the process won’t feel so uncomfortable, which is its own reward.
If you really want to become a more effective, engaged, and confident communicator at work, use thes five tips to hone your skills until you become better. Just like learning to walk, take one step at a time, and before you know it, you’ll be light years ahead of where you started.
Featured photo credit: http://ift.tt/1EVq56l via freedigitalphotos.net
The post Not A Communicative Person At Work? You Will Be After Reading This appeared first on Lifehack.
Whether you have had months to prepare for it, or it happens suddenly, and without warning, loss causes trauma and grief that can become all-consuming, and insurmountable. In the moment that you hear of the loss, you can feel shock, denial, sadness, anger, or all of these things at once. What death leaves in its wake can be devastating, heart-wrenching, and like your entire world is consumed by a wave of pain. Loss can feel surreal, and denial can set in. This beautifully animated short film about coming to terms with loss after a tsunami can support you in accepting death.
I recently lost someone I deeply cared about, and very suddenly. He was only 42, and was in the best place I had ever seen him in life. When I heard of the accident he was in, I immediately went into shock. It felt as if I had been thrown into a brick wall, and as if nothing was ever going to be the same again. It has not.
Though it has not been long since my dear friend passed, this loss has permeated every facet of my life. What felt like a nightmare for days began to feel more real. I realized I couldn’t text him to ask him a question, or check in with him. This person I assumed would always be there was just suddenly – gone.
After a great loss, there are five stages of grief, according to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.
Denial and Isolation are the first stage. This is the phase of denial where we cannot accept that the death has really happened. We are in shock, and it feels like a nightmare we keep waiting, and hoping, to wake from.
Anger is the second stage. We become angry over the loss of someone, and begin to direct the anger in indirect and misguided ways. We may be angry at the circumstances, at family members, or even at ourselves.
Bargaining is the third stage. We feel like we could have done something differently to prevent that person from dying. This involves guilt and helplessness.
Depression is the fourth stage. We start worrying about the details – burial costs, medical bills left unpaid – and we worry we have neglected those that are still living. There is a sadness, that becomes about handling business, rather than about the loss of the person themselves.
Acceptance is the final stage. Not everyone can truly accept the loss of someone near and dear to them, but if they fortunate enough to make it to this stage, they learn to accept their sadness, and embrace the life that they are living.
Featured photo credit: April Galansky via mrg.bz
The post This Beautiful Animated Film Will Teach You How To Deal With A Loss appeared first on Lifehack.
Your life only gets better when you do. Work on yourself and the rest will follow.
The post Your life only gets better when you do. Work on… appeared first on Lifehack.
The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
The post The best portion of your life will be the small,… appeared first on Lifehack.
Cry as hard as you want to. But just make sure that when you stop crying, you never cry for the same reason again.
The post Cry as hard as you want to. But just make… appeared first on Lifehack.
Don’t talk, just act. Don’t say, just show. Don’t promise, just prove.
The post Don’t talk, just act. Don’t say, just show. Don’t promise,… appeared first on Lifehack.
Don’t waste words on people who deserve your silence. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all.
The post Don’t waste words on people who deserve your silence. Sometimes… appeared first on Lifehack.
Nobody likes a braggart at work and nobody respects a doormat. The secret to finding the right balance between being too humble and arrogant is a delicate one.
It is however well worth thinking about. After all, you have talents, skills, experience so why are you hiding your light under a bushel?
Here are 8 reasons why being too humble at work can actually hold you back and thwart your ambitions.
Ask yourself why nobody, including your boss, knows about the skills and successes you have attained. This may be caused by a humility overdose or that you are too shy to talk about them.
Perhaps you simply missed opportunities at team meetings, job perfromance chats and even in job interviews. Maybe you have not kept a careful track of them either and your memory lets you down just at the wrong moment.
Keep a record of your daily or weekly successes. Match them to your job description. Keep them handy mentally or as a hard list, and mention them at opportune moments.
Make sure that you add in “Accomplishments” to the agenda for any meeting you may have with your boss. Mention any relevant successes.
If there is no formal agenda, always make a point of concluding the meeting with a remark such as, “Just thought I’d mention that I am getting some great feedback from customers on the new feedback forms and the team is ahead on the deadline for the report.”
A great idea to move forward is to look at the job description of your possible promotion and measure up how well you are doing already. This technique also helps you get ready for that all important interview.
Let us imagine you have been employed in a marketing role and you are doing a lot of menial and administrative tasks which are not in your job description. You may end up being a dogsbody. Very often, the reason is that your humility is being exploited and that is not fair.
If you are working for a start-up, then there may be nothing to be done as everybody is expected to muck in. But if you are in a larger organization where roles and responsibilities are well defined, then it may be time to speak up.
You need to be able to show that the menial tasks are preventing you from doing your real job, which is marketing. It is no harm to remind your boss that your skill set is in the job description. You could also remind her that the menial tasks need to be more fairly allocated.
If this fails, then you set your priorities right and leave the menial tasks at the bottom of the list so they are often not done at all.
Have you thought about helping your coworkers? Maybe you are modest or you jealously want to keep your skills and experience to yourself. This is a mistake because most colleagues will underestimate you because you have never showcased your talents and skills.
When there is a problem to be solved that is a perfect match for your skills set, step up to the plate. Offer your help. Your colleagues will not only be grateful but will be happy to endorse a person who is an expert and helpful. This sort of publicity will pay handsome dividends down the line.
The problem with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence is that they tend to feed your humility habit. Nothing wrong with being a little humble but are you getting a little addicted? People are getting the wrong impression.
Focus on your achievements and stop regretting those failures. Make a mental list of your star qualities. Remind yourself that having the right mindset will increase your productivity, communication skills, and irresistible charm.
Before long, you will have reached the top of the ladder and it is all due to your intelligence and superb talent. OK, now just turn the volume down on those a little and you are ready to go. No need to strut!
“The proud peacock of today may be only a feather duster tomorrow.” – Rick Barnes
When you are too humble while networking, this can leave a negative footprint. Your new business contact may think that you are not convincing, not qualified enough and are perhaps pessimistic.
You do not want to go to the other extreme where you are perceived as egocentric, arrogant and over confident. Displaying the right dose of humility is the secret.
Analyze your weaknesses and be aware of them when networking. Work on how to improve them. At the job interview you will certainly be asked about your weaknesses or even failures.
You would be surprised at how many candidates are flummoxed by this question. Claiming to have no weaknesses is a sure sign of ignorance, immaturity and a lack of self awareness.
This is another reason why being too humble does not pay off. You are the one who never gets more responsibility because your ideas are never broadcast. You also tend to shrug off compliments instead of saying a simple “thank you.”
Try to be more courageous and let your views and ideas be known. When you get a compliment, say thanks but also mention how much effort you put into it.
When someone asks for a volunteer for an important project, pluck up the courage to offer your services. Also, say why you are the one with the right skills set and experience.
Doubting your capabilities? Thinking that the company is going in the wrong direction or that a colleague is getting away with murder? Maybe you think that it is not worth the effort, but too much humility and self doubt here can ruin a career.
You can start small by offering to take responsibility in your team for certain tasks. Speak out and speak up. The skills you have here are obvious to everyone and if they are not, then tell them!
You will gain some useful experience and confidence. You will be much more aware of your strengths when you meet goals and deadlines. It is never too late to start.
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” – Norman Vincent Peale
You are over thinking your defects and lack of skills. Part of the explanation may be that the wrong friends can exaggerate your faults and failings. I mean the so-called friends who are ready to criticize you and also try to discourage you at every turn. A mindset like that is an additional handicap.
You are the one who is only too conscious of your faults, failings, and lack of self-confidence. Gravitate towards positive and encouraging people who will recognize your efforts, talents and people skills. These are the people who will appreciate your true worth and, with their encouragement, you will be able to see that there is no need to be too humble. Just get the humility dosage right, OK?
Let us know in the comments how you overcame being too humble at work.
Featured photo credit: Assignment # 4.12/ kaferris via flickr.com
The post 8 Reasons Why You Should Not Be Too Humble At Work appeared first on Lifehack.
Take every chance you get in life, because some things only happen once.
The post Take every chance you get in life, because some things… appeared first on Lifehack.
from FriendlyCom http://ift.tt/1EukG8h
from FriendlyCom http://ift.tt/1EukG8h
via IFTTT
Some people may say that Apple products tend to be a bit overpriced, but I like to call these people haters. There is a common image of the average iOS user in popular culture – an ironic hipster desperate to be different or a person trying boost their perceived social status – but even though people snicker and make jokes online, the truth is that the slick design and great reliability of Apple devices has made them incredibly popular.
Across the world, a big part of the mobile device market is dominated by Apple, and retailers have seen a big rise in demand for quality accessories that further enhance the user’s experience in recent years. While the basic iOS accessories are well designed and do their job well, when it comes to satisfying our inner tech junky they simply aren’t enough. If you, like me, are constantly on the lookout for unique and practical little gadgets to enhance your iPhone or iPad, then check out these six cool iOS accessories.
We can all appreciate a good sturdy iPhone case, after all these things are slim and slick, and people can get extremely clumsy at times. However, for some of us there is an inherent need to keep our hands busy, and since the government frowns upon twirling nun chucks or butterfly knives in public, a good alternative is the Trick Cover case. The sheer awesomeness of this product cannot be adequately explained through words, so I’m going to let this video speak for itself.
Flipping around, twisting and twirling your phone open and closed, like some incredibly cool action hero. Now, I am a bit worried that it will take quite a few drops before you get good at it, but the case is fairly sturdy, so you shouldn’t worry too much about being foiled by gravity. You can check it out here.
If you enjoy playing the guitar, then you are going to love the iRig 2. It essentially allows you to plug a guitar into your iPhone, effectively turning it into a tuner and recorder. The 1/8” TRRS output connector makes this accessory compatible with a wide range of devices, including iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, while the 1/4” instrument input works with just about any guitar and bass that you want to plug in.
It also features a headphone output, and comes equipped with a set of AmpliTube apps, making it easy to practice without disturbing anyone, so that you can hone your skills no matter where you are. You can find out more about the product on the official website.
Let’s say you want to take a quick break from the everyday life, so you step into the kitchen to prepare a quick snack. As you make the same old boring sandwich you always do, you lament the fact that you are a lousy cook and therefore lack a bit of variety in your diet. Do not despair my friend – combining the Drop Kitchen Scale with your iPad will help you to make all sorts of tasty treats, even with limit cooking skills.
Every good cook knows that it’s all about finding the right ingredients and following a tried and true recipe, and this great little kitchen scale comes complete with a recipe app that will enable you mix everything up just right. All you have to do is follow the instructions. The app even sets a timer so you don’t forget to take the meal out of the oven on time. Check it out here.
The iPad is a very practical and portable little piece of equipment, but it sacrifices some functionality to achieve the level of slimness and lightness that make it perfect for professionals on the go. There are a number of good keyboard accessories available, and while they all work quite well, the Zagg Rugged Folio is one incredibly sturdy package that will keep your iPad safe from all manner of bumps and drops. The case is great at absorbing shock and has four different modes of carry, making it ideal for outdoor use. Find out more about it here.
The advent of smartphones with decent cameras has made it easy for aspiring photographers to take their first steps, and for everyone else to have fun and document some interesting moments and breathtaking scenery. However, the basic camera doesn’t really pack a big punch, so you are left with so-so images. If you want to up the quality of the images you can take, without breaking the bank, the Oliclip 4-in-1 lens is the perfect choice.
You just snap it on and have access to 4 different lenses – fish eye, wide angle, 10x Macro and 15x Macro. It’s a neat little package that comes in several different color combinations, and with clips that allow it to be worn with a lanyard. Check out their official site for more info.
Say it’s been a long and eventful day and you are finally headed home. You’ve finished your guitar practice, snap a bunch of photos, made a nice dinner and are ready to have someone over. As you finish dinner and move to the couch to have some wine you pull out your phone, and dim the light down to set the mood. Sounds pretty smooth, right?
Well, Incipio’s Wireless Smart Lamp Adapter works with standard light bulbs and simply screws into the socket, allowing you to remotely access the lights in your home via mobile app. You can even manipulate lights using Siri voice commands, which makes for some incredibly cool scenarios – just imagine yourself saying: “Siri, set the mood please”, and you get the perfect lighting. Check out this cool product here.
There are some amazing accessory products that are coming out for iOS devices these days, the six on this list being some of the more interesting finds based on personal preference, and who knows what the future brings. It is truly a great time to be alive, so make the most of it and get some great little gadgets to make things more interesting.
The post 6 Incredibly Cool iOS Accessories You Need To Buy Right Now appeared first on Lifehack.
As you waste your breath complaining about life someone out there is breathing their last. Appreciate what you have. Be thankful and stop complaining. Live more, complain less. Have more smiles, less stress.
The post As you waste your breath complaining about life someone out… appeared first on Lifehack.
Have more than you show, and speak less than you know.
The post Have more than you show, and speak less than you… appeared first on Lifehack.
The old office temperature war – have you ever fallen victim to one?
Maybe not, but as it turns out, the simple matter of deciding how warm or cool you want your work environment to be can a huge source of disagreement, arguments, and even some physiological and psychological problems.
Having an office that’s running too hot can cause you to dehydrate and for productivity to drop off, while having a workplace that’s on the chillier side can inhibit work and damage typing speed rates and mental cognition.
Scientists and researchers at a selection of universities have been investigating the problem of just what counts as the perfect temperature in the workplace, and have found both benefits and limitations on both sides of the debate. While some research has found that having warmer temperatures encourages more positive mood, and a better atmosphere, other branches of research have found that keeping things cooler can seriously improve things in the workplace by stopping workers from getting overheated (perhaps by allowing them to indulge in hot beverages which can improve morale and team bonding.)
Whatever the case may be, there’s a big debate raging at the moment as to what our office temperatures should be, and the absolute maximum and minimum we’re allowed to have in our workplaces. Check out this very cool and snazzy infographic from the fine people at Visualistan, and see just what has got a lot of people heatedly discussing this issue…
Have you ever found yourself getting too hot under the collar, or receiving a frosty atmosphere in the office? Let us know what you think about the great temperature debate in the comments below.
The post Report Shows That Office Temperature War Can Lower Productivity appeared first on Lifehack.
Not caring what other people think is the best choice you will ever make.
The post Not caring what other people think is the best choice… appeared first on Lifehack.
Are you headed to college soon? Or are you already in college and still apprehensive about how things are going to turn out?
The reality is that the transition from high school to college can be a bit difficult. It’s important that you know your goals beforehand and make plans to achieve those. There are many things you need to consider and be careful about.
Nevertheless, college life should be fun and will ultimately help you shape your career. Here are 10 tips every college student should know.
Be financially literate. Know your constraints beforehand with respect to money.
If required, start keeping a record of all your savings and expenditures. Stop spending on things you don’t need. Buy your books and supplies only if it is very necessary. Try taking things from library or rent them. It will save a lot of money and effort in case you decide later on to drop a class.
There is a subtle difference between needing and wanting.
Cut down on your credit cards, if you are an avowed shopaholic.
If you wish to establish a credit history, make a small purchase regularly using your account number.
Start saving regularly. Trust me, these small savings will make a huge difference. If you really need some extra money to sustain yourself, consider a part time job.
Time management is very crucial. Manage your time well between your classes, part-time job (perhaps!) and other extra curricular activities. Be disciplined in classrooms.Take notes. Participate in discussions. You will thank yourself later on.
Before committing to anything, make sure that you have sometime everyday to unwind. Otherwise, all the pressure and stress will catch up to you soon. And you definitely don’t need that.
Remember this always.
Don’t try to work against your college authorities and professors however much you are tempted. Talk to them in case there is any problem or misunderstanding. Be cordial even if in reality, the rebel in you wants to paint the city red. This will pay off in the long run.
It’s very important to have a social life. Getting along with roommates and batch mates will help you not only adjust in the new environment but also to meet new people and develop lasting relationships.
You create memories and go through various experiences with people you meet in college. At the same time, don’t get bothered by unnecessary rumors.
Some people tend to take comments to heart. It would be advisable to avoid that. Make sure that you know your limits when it comes to having a social life.
Plan on getting an internship if you don’t have one already. Practical experience always looks good on a resume. You will be one step ahead of your peers when you start job hunting after you graduate.
Still not sure if you want to continue in the same major as you entered in the college? Do not worry. You can change it.
For instance, some engineering colleges allow this change after a year of study. As a freshman, you should take your time to explore and think carefully about the possibilities and then make a decision regarding the department you want to major in.
Take different classes to discover new areas of interests. You might surprise yourself.
Usually colleges make every effort to initially match students with a faculty adviser who is in their area of interest. But, you can match yourself with an adviser of your choice later on if you feel that you want to learn more from him/her.
Get to know the facilities provided by your college for your research work.
If you need some tutorial/remedial classes outside the classroom, ask around if those are available or can be arranged. In short, try to have knowledge about every program which is running at the college which might help you.
College is where the most mind opening learning of your life will happen. It is important to set clear goals for each class you wish to take. Try to take at least one extra class per semester. At the same time, do not over burden yourself.
This tip is old school. Research says that physical exercises result in increased blood flow to the brain which indirectly improves mood and sleep; reduces stress and anxiety. Exercising a few hours every week will help you increase alertness and attentiveness which leads to faster learning. It’s very important that you eat right, exercise regularly and stay fit.
So, hope you enjoy your journey in college!
Featured photo credit: Addy Abdullah via flickr.com
The post 10 tips every college student should know appeared first on Lifehack.
Do you know your life purpose? Many people earn a decent living, but would define success as much more than money. For many it is also about happiness, positive relationships and the ability to contribute to something you care about.
Here are 7 questions you should ask yourself if you are trying to discover your life purpose.
What did you find emotionally fulfilling when you were younger? From writing to building figurines, children are actively encouraged to follow their passions. However, we often stop doing the things we were passionate about as a child. Often this is due to a lack of time, or pressure from society to pursue something that comes with a (often financial) reward.
Consider your childhood passions. Do you still practice your childhood passions? If not, why? Would you still feel passionately about the same things now?
If you didn’t have to work and you weren’t allowed to stay in the house, how would you choose to spend that time? Where would you go? In the evenings, many people like to relax and unwind. However, unlimited free time often encourages people to fill the time in a productive manner. Write down a few ways you would spend your free time, and then try one out on your next day off.
When you are working on your life purpose, you often completely lose track of time. Often people don’t notice the hours passing by, and can even forget to eat or drink until they have finished. When is the last time you felt this way?
What topics do you like to read about? Think about what interests you most on the news, online, or in the area you love. From the environment to finding new recipes, many people have passions that even they were unaware of.
If you are unsure, don’t feel disheartened – it can take a while for you to realize what you are passionate about, so spend some free time doing something that you find both enjoyable and productive, and eventually you will discover your life purpose.
Most of the time when you are with your loved ones, you only discuss subjects that you actually find interesting and fun. Are there any subjects that you repeatedly bring up to talk about? This is often a great indicator of your life purpose.
As well as the subjects you love to discuss, think about the times your friends have come to you for advice. This shows the areas in which your friends class you as a valuable source of knowledge – it could be something you didn’t even realize you were good at!
What do you want to accomplish before you die? Creating a bucket list is a great way to discover your life purpose, as the list will show you the activities you believe to be important and emotionally fulfilling.
Many people have dreams, but choose not to pursue them due to the financial risks or fear of failure. Start thinking about your dream in a more positive light, asking yourself ‘How can I make this happen?’ instead of telling yourself you won’t succeed.
Try to let go of negative thoughts that could hold you back from achieving your life purpose. Instead, try and do something every week that helps you to make your dreams come true.
Featured photo credit: hurry business man walking very speed to get on time to the work appointment via shutterstock.com
The post 7 Powerful Questions to Help You Find Your Life Purpose appeared first on Lifehack.
Wedding are one of the most widely celebrated life events worldwide, where the concept of love is universal, but the details vary greatly. Curious to see how couples around the world mark their special day? Here are 10 different wedding customs from around the globe.
The Var Mala ceremony is one of the most significant traditions of Indian weddings, where the bride and groom exchange colorful floral garlands to signify their unity and acceptance of one another. This ritual is practiced throughout India, but differs on shape and size depending on the region. For example the Var Mala found in Northern India is much longer and heaver compared to ones found in Southern India. Red roses are the most common flower used for the garlands, but orchids and carnations are some alternatives.
Traditionally weddings in Japan take place in Shinto shrines, where the groom and bride partake in a sake-drinking ritual called san-san-ku-do. This ancient tradition translates as ‘three-three-nine-times,” where couples drink from three different-sized cups three times each. Odd numbers in Japan are considered lucky, especially the number three. The smallest cup represents heaven, the middle earth and the largest humankind.
The Kina Gecesi or henna night is a ceremony that usually takes place the night before the wedding. Historically it is to symbolize the bride leaving their family’s home as a daughter and entering into a new family as a wife. A red veil is place over the bride-to-be and her hands are elaborately decorated in henna.
Kransekake is a traditional Norwegian cake that is often served at weddings or holiday celebrations. It consists of almonds, icing sugar and egg whites. It is created by stacking the cake rings of different sizes from largest to smallest in a pyramid shape. The top is adorned with trinkets depending on the occasion, for example a bride figurine for a wedding.
The Czepek that translates into “money dance,” is a popular custom that helps fiance the couple’s honeymoon. Guest pin money to the bride and groom’s clothing while dancing and also create a circle around the couple where they throw money onto the bride’s veil.
One of the most common wedding traditions is having the parents of the bride and groom bring fire from their homes to light the hearth of the newlyweds together as a family.
In Australia, the custom of having a unity bowl can be seen at weddings that would like to incorporate a time-honored tradition. The purpose of this bowl is to have all family members fill it with colorful stones to signify that each person has contributed to coloring the lives of the newlyweds. Each individual family member is represented by a particular color and when the couple mixes the bowl, a new family is formed with the beautiful mosaic of color that has been created from the multicolored stones.
The bride is in charge of the color-theme in her wedding and her hue choice appears everywhere from the wedding cake to the car that is used to transport the newlyweds around on their special day. At the ceremony site, matching flowers and ribbon are place everywhere for a colorful touch.
It is tradition in Massai culture in Kenya, for the father of the bride to spit on her to bring good luck and fortune to her marriage. Usually, spitting in this culture is frowned upon, but during the wedding it is an exception.
via Pixabay
In Chinese culture, there are auspicious dates that are ideal for a wedding ceremony to take place on. The bride and groom will consult with an authority on the subject, which can include a Chinese monk, a temple official, a fortune teller or simply looking at a Chinese calendar for a lucky date. Usually dates that are even-numbered are preferred and the seventh month in the Lunar year is always avoided due to it being the month when the Hungry Ghost Festival takes place.
Featured photo credit: Pixabay via pixabay.com
The post Different Kinds of Weddings around the World appeared first on Lifehack.