Category: information

Community, information, Mental- Health, Self-Help, Success, Wellness

The Value Of A Promise

dianangelika0607

19/11/20

I was thinking about how it’s important to keep our promises with ourselves and with other people.  It’s very important to have discipline, perseverance and dedication. For example, if I want to start a new project like studying a career, starting a diet or losing weight, reading a book or doing exercise, you need to focus on that goal and work hard on it. However, to have the mindset and dedicate yourself to that goal it’s not always easy. There are some factors around the environment which can be distractors or obstacles in that process as some traits or habits in our personality. Some of them can be procrastination, sloth, lack of time and money as well as the excuses: “Tomorrow I’ll start”, “I don’t have time” “I have a ton of work” “I’m busy with my husband/kids” etc. At the same time unfulfilled promises toward the family, friends, couples, colleagues, etc., such as: “I’ll call you tomorrow” “You’re the love of my life” “I’m going to buy you that” “See you tomorrow” etc.

From my point of view, generating false expectations isn’t right but nowadays the informality in our communications is typical where in a communication on WhatsApp, Telegram or another Social Media we leave incomplete conversations or we don’t say goodbye and we just assume something and that can be an agent to misunderstand a message. The same way can happen with an unfulfilled promise. There’s an assumption and each person interprets something according to their experiences, thoughts and beliefs.

In the construction of relationships there is an interchange of knowledge and behavior, at the same time the personality plays an important role. Our behavior can affect other people, our pledges too and for that reason it’s very important to be tactful with our words and expressions. If I promise something it´s better to keep it because we don’t know if the other person is waiting with expectations, emotion or anxiety. For example, telling a child that you are going to give him/her something, that promise must be fulfilled because there is nothing sadder than breaking a child’s heart with lies and false commitments.

Adults are more resilient; however, we can’t play with people’s emotions. My mom said that the words have power and I can’t agree more with that. We need to be careful with our words and our actions because we don’t know what’s inside each individual. We need to be respectful, kind and empathetic with others. At the same time, take care for ourself and search for happiness, achieve our goals and create new ones. Each promise has a value and can be meaningful to people.    

Finally, I would like to finish with this quote: “Keep your word. When you say you will do something and don’t do it, you teach others (including yourself) that you cannot be trusted”. Do you agree with that?

DARR.

Community, covid 19, information, knowledge, Mental- Health, Self-Help, Wellness

Mental Health In Pandemic Time

dianangelika0607

31/10/20

People are surrounded by an amount of emotions due to the fact that we are emotional and rational human beings. Each individual has their own identity which is like a stamp and those character traits facilitate the construction of interpersonal relationships.

However, from my perspective there are people whom their emotions overflow and many times show the worst side of humanity. For example, nowadays we’re in pandemic time and I’ve seen on the news and social media people attacking others because they ask them to wear face masks or using other measures of social distance and some of those people answering with hits, spits or swearing, being aggression and violence a reaction of them.

On the other hand, the isolation has changed our lifestyle and many people are working, studying and eating at home. Also, other people have faced the illness of a beloved or perhaps a loss represented in unemployment, death and instability. Therefore, there are some studies that show that the number of mental illnesses has increased due to Covid 19. “Studies indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with distress, anxiety, fear of contagion, depression and insomnia in the general population and among healthcare professionals. Social isolation, anxiety, fear of contagion, uncertainty, chronic stress and economic difficulties may lead to the development or exacerbation of depressive, anxiety, substance use and other psychiatric disorders in vulnerable populations including individuals with pre-existing psychiatric disorders and people who reside in high COVID-19 prevalence areas. Stress-related psychiatric conditions including mood and substance use disorders are associated with suicidal behavior” (https://academic.oup.com)

At the same time the statistics of suicides has increased too as well as the number of crimes and violence which makes the issue of COVID 19 not the only one we have to face.

Another problem is that the number of homeless in certain countries has grown quickly, such is the case of California in the U.S.; searching for some causes of that situation: job loss, drugs or alcohol use, divorce or separation, argument with a family member, domestic violence, eviction, mental health or release from jail.    

So, our environment can be hostile and it triggers a series of socially maladaptive behaviors. Then, how can people be facing all of those changes? People need actions to assume a new adaptation and reorganize their routines. Also, it’s very important to have emotional intelligence and impulse control. This is a complex time where people should have healthy behaviors. Sometimes it’s preferable to avoid negative news and information in social media that tends to show tabloid news. My advice is reading a nice book, doing meditation or exercise. A friend told me that there is an interesting activity like virtual marathons where people who stay at home run a treadmill connected on line in competition with other runners. Besides, taking advantage of social networks for interacting with family, friends or participating in webinars, meetings or virtual courses. Creating something new or perhaps developing a new habit or abilities. I’ve seen interesting entrepreneurships in this time. Besides, speaking with someone and if required searching for professional help.

I confess that I have reached my breaking point and sometimes I’ve felt frustrated and tired of all this situation and mostly because I couldn’t go to my country to visit my dad and loved ones but I think that it’s a trial period and it’s our decision to show our better face.

Humans are moved by emotions and our trial is to try to use the positives and left to one side the negatives one. From my experience I feel renovated when I cry or scream because it works as catharsis but on the other hand I try to search other ways to face this hard situation with the best attitude, I say to myself it’s just a period and is temporary, after that I take a deep breath and I go my way. 

Success is in reinvention and resilience, being assertive and socially responsible.

Finally I want to share some tips from The World Health Organization about Mental Health as complement to this post: https://www.who.int

DARR.

Art, Hobbies, information, Personal Development, Wellness

Art As A Way Of Expressing Feelings

dianangelika0607

24/10/20

Art has always been present in my life. Despite I’m not artist I’ve admired art in their different expressions like paintings, music, poetry, literature or photography. My mom was a painter and therefore I remember some painter stuff surrounded me when I was child: brushes, painter’s palettes, canvas, oils, frames, easels, pastels or charcoals and especially the smell of paint fills in the environment whereas my mom was painting. Also, I remember that she went to painting classes and I accompanied her and I saw her passion to do strokes on the canvas, measuring perspective before starting her work. Perspective is “the representation of three-dimensional objects or spaces in two dimensional artworks. Artists use perspective techniques to create a realistic impression of Depth” (Google Search). At the same time depending on the painting, she would be trying to create the effect of shadows or reflections or the effect of the person’s look. My mom always told me that to draw a human figure was really complex and was a challenge for her. Everything needed a specific techniques and knowledge.                                                        

My mom was really passionate about Art History and she had a teacher who had a vast knowledge about different art styles depending on the epoch. A remarkable period for us was The Renaissance with its maximum exponents like Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. The way that they drew and sculp people and their expressions was quite impressive as well as the perfection of a look, a smile or a muscle, such is the case of The David by Michelangelo or The Gioconda by Leonardo Da Vinci. The David is a sculpture that was made with marble and is the result of 4 years of intense work “Is the perfection of the most famous sculpture in Florence and, perhaps, in all the world”. (https://www.michelangelo.org/david.jsp)

Source: https://www.boredpanda.com/michelangelo-david-close-up-photos/

Also, we admired Baroque painters. One time we went to the movies to watch the biography of Diego Velazquez and I’ve been astounded by his work on Las Meninas “Is regarded as a dialogue between artist and viewer, with its double mirror imagery and sketchy brushwork that brings every figure and object in the room to life”. (https://www.phaidon.com).

Source: https://www.etsy.com

A terrific activity for my mom was go to the movies with my dad and watch the cycle of art movies in Cine Colombia. Some painters who they watched were Pablo Picasso, Claude Monnet or Leonardo Da Vinci.

Anyway, my mom left me the pleasure of admiring works of art. My favorite artist is Gustav Klimt, I love the colors and subtlety of his paintings. The Kiss, Mother and Child and Water Serpents blow my mind. I’ve realized that I enjoy the paintings that have multicolored and mostly if they are animals’ images such in modern art.

Definitely going to an art gallery and appreciate a painting is a pleasure for me, to understand the meaning or the history behind of artwork is a challenge but at the same time is like to time travel.

Source: http://www.gustavklimt.net/mother-and-child/

Source: https://es.aliexpress.com

All in all, my mom did a lot of paintings whose protagonists were horses, flowers, country houses and landscapes, probably those are a projection of her likes about nature. She had their paintings like a hobby and a way to be entertained, she didn’t have a business mindset and never did an exposition. However, without having it as a purpose she had customers and sold some of her works sometimes by chance. Leaving part of her in each of her works.
However, it’s a shame that my mom did not get more out of her talent but that’s why I want to take advantage of these social networks to show her legacy.

Therefore, I want to share a link from my Facebook Group, where you can appreciate some of my mom’s works. I hope you enjoy them!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.395790624929627&type=3

DARR.

Community, information, knowledge, Mental- Health

Life In Canada Under COVID Protection Measures

dianangelika0607

16/10/20

This year 2020 is a period with an amount of challenges and proof for all of us. The word of the year is COVID.

I never thought that this period of pandemic time would be so long. In March when everything started, I believed that it was temporary and now, after 7 months and with the statistics changing and growing, it’s really frustrating that everything is at the same starting point. In fact, the last few days in Canada the number of cases has increased. At the moment we’re in the second wave.

So, I want to share with you two graphics about the statistics of Covid in Canada. The first graphic shows The Number of Total Cases vs Reporting Date. The second one is about the current situation and shows the total of cases (Date: October 15th,2020).

Both data were taken from the Government page: Canada.ca

Source: https://www.canada.ca

According Ontario.ca, Ontario have reopened in three stages. Through all stages, public health and safety remained the number one priority, while balancing the needs of people and the economy. 

Stage 1: Opening businesses that can immediately meet or modify operations to meet public health advice and workplace safety measures, and are considered lower risk settings for transmission of COVID-19.

Stage 2: Taking a regional approach to opening more businesses and services, as well as community, recreational and outdoor spaces, while emphasizing public health advice and personal responsibility.

Stage 3: Taking a regional approach to opening most businesses and services and all public spaces, with health and safety measures in place, and continuing to emphasize personal responsibility.

Source: https://www.ontario.ca

After summer the number of cases in most provinces have increased due to people didn’t took the self-care measures. I watched on TV a lot of people on the beaches, bars and restaurants without masks and “living la vida loca” like if nothing was happening and now the statistics show the consequences. Many cases are young people that are the reflection of those “fun gatherings”.

“Based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, as of September 8, 2020, Ontario is pausing any further loosening of public health measures or reopening additional businesses, facilities and organizations”. (https://www.ontario.ca)

Obviously, the government needs that the number of cases decrease again and mostly because schools and universities started their activities in September and kids can be more exposed to the risk.  

At present, the use of the face mask is obligatory but there are people who don’t wear it. In fact, I’ve watched on the news people protesting and against measures of self-care. There are still people who don’t believe in the virus and its consequences and those wayward people are a problem.

I know that we have to learn to live with the virus but we have to be careful. For 6 months the Canadian Government helped people with a subsidy of $2000 but nowadays it’s complicated that the Government continues with this policy due to finances being unsustainable.

Sometimes with my husband we go out on the street and try to take in new air and change the environment. It’s Fall and we like to see the landscapes of this season or walking at parks and enjoying nature. At times we go to the supermarket to buy groceries but we prefer to order at home and avoiding the crowds. We believe taking care of ourselves just depends on each other.  

I know that this year has been harsh and frustrating. Stress, despair and impotence can be some emotions that people have felt sometimes. At the same time, it has been a huge hurdle for all of us and I’m sure that some of us have developed skills or we’ve found hobbies and different interests because the pandemic time teaches us to be resourceful, creative and resilient.

In summary this 2020 has been a year of challenges but at the same time with learnings and lessons, when people have learnt to find a mental, physical, emotional and spiritual balance.

Finally, I want to invite you to read another of my posts about the capacity to reinvent yourself in these times: https://dianix.news.blog

DARR.

Hobbies, information, knowledge

The Charm Of The Weather

dianangelika0607

03/08/2020

Many people have the misconception that living in a country like Canada is difficult due to its climate.

Before coming here, I was thinking about taking this important decision. One of the points that we evaluated with my husband was the climate for sure. This country has seasons but certainly the winter in Canada is really cold. However, when I lived through my first winter it was cold but it wasn’t too terrible.

Fortunately, in winter most places have heating like restaurants, banks, supermarkets or the inside of buses and subway. Condos, apartments and houses have heating too. On the other hand, it’s very important to have the right wardrobe. If you have a warm jacket, gloves, tuque and some layers, those clothing can help you to face the winter.  

The lowest temperature which I have felt has been between -30°C and -37°C (apparent temperature). That temperature certainly was low and sometimes I had headaches, pain in my bones and muscles and dryness on my skin and lips. My advice in those cases is searching for a warm place, drinking a cup of hot chocolate and enjoying the landscapes and winter activities.

From my point of view each season has its charm. When I lived in Colombia and I lived in a hot city called Villavicencio, its temperature was approximately 30°C.

Living in a hot place has its pros and cons too. For example, you can enjoy activities in a pool or river and you can wear informal clothes. Nonetheless, when the weather was muggy, I needed a fan close to me and was drinking a cold beverage all the time. Also, sometimes I saw annoying bugs like roaches, mosquitos or ants.

In conclusion, enjoying the weather is relative and depends on each person. Actually, I like to live in a country with seasons because I have the pleasure to live in different climates at the same place only.

DARR.

Hobbies, information, knowledge, Mental- Health, Wellness

The Power Of Music

dianangelika0607

13/07/2020

Music is an important component in my life. I love how music can generate emotions and feelings with a melody or just with the lyric of a song.

Ever since I was a little girl my dad used to put headphones in my ears and I liked to sing with him and we recorded our music in cassettes. By the way, the next data is for those guys who are very young, before listening to music in CDS, MP3 or Ipads existed on the cassettes. When I wanted to listen to the song, in that period it didn’t exist Youtube, Spotify or Apple music, then I had to listen to the radio station and if it sounded like the song that I liked, I had to run very quickly and record it in a cassette. Nowadays all of this is history and if you just write the name of a song in Youtube or other apps you can hear it as many times as you want.

Another experience that I had when I was at school, I was part of the choir and we made some performances at other schools and events, that was a fabulous experience for me. At the same time, I had a subject of music and I had the opportunity to learn to play the flute and the marimba. My biggest frustration so far is didn’t learn to play other instruments like the piano, the cello and the guitar but, you know, it’s never too late to learn and to reach goals.

Anyway, music is present every day of my life. When I start my morning and I’m cooking my breakfast, the first thing that I do is turn on my TV and listen to music on YouTube. I feel motivated, with energy and a good vibe with music.

Finally, one of my hobbies is to listen to music for sure. One plan that I did and I loved was walking on the streets of Havana (Cuba) and to listen to the groups of Cuban Son, playing with their instruments like guitars, flutes, maracas, bongo drums and congas. Another plan that I did last year was to listen to the orchestra that played the soundtrack of the Tv Series Game of Thrones on live concert. That was amazing!

The last activity but not less important is to listen to Colombian music, we have different genres and artists, fortunately my country has an enormous variety and it inspires us day to day.

In summary, music is life, health and helps us by making our lives better and Happy like the name of the song by Pharrell Williams.

DARR.

information, knowledge, Mental- Health, Personal Development, Self-Help, self-improvement, Wellness

Capacity Of Reinventing During Pandemic Time

dianangelika0607

29/06/20

At present our life has been changing drastically with the presence of Covid 19 and certainly that virus has generated devastating consequences like human casualties, unemployment, financial problems, changes in emotional, social and familiar life. However, in pandemic time, people have had to reinvent and change their life habits. For example, virtual work has increased. Some platforms like Zoom, Skype, Google Duo, Meet or Hangouts provide the best choices to have meetings, besides to see our relatives who are far away.

On the other hand, families are together all day because job, school, restaurant, gym and entertainment are in the same place. That situation has its cons and pros due to people need their spaces to do their activities separately. For that reason, some couple relationships have had problems as a result of those changes.

Some companies and productive sectors have grown their businesses due to the pandemic such as Amazon, Netflix, Virtual Schools and Universities, Supermarkets, Pharmacies and Home delivery services. On the opposite side, businesses in tourism, transportation and entertainment have been totally affected. 

Finally, mental and emotional problems are a consequence of this event. Is totally understandable if people are unemployed or their life is reduced to living into four walls, doing and seeing the same day after day they are going to feel depression or sadness. At this point is very important the resilience and the capacity of reinventing.

Certainly, our life has been changed with this eventuality, some of our projects and goals have had to wait. In my case the process to get the permanent residence is on hold. Sometimes I feel frustrated, other times disappointed, but I know that someday this chaos and historic moment of our life will just be in our memories.

DARR.

Cultures, information, knowledge, Mental- Health, Personal Development, Self-Help, self-improvement, Travel, Wellness

Taking Decisions

dianangelika0607

22/06/2020

Today I want to tell you about my experience living in a different country, due to nowadays I live in Canada but I’m from Colombia.

The determination to change of life wasn’t easy because I was starting again in a new place, far away from my family, friends, culture and customs. When my husband and I communicated our decision some friends and close people told me they wanted to change their lives too and they wanted to search for a better quality of life. However, some of them were afraid to get out of their comfort zones and it was understable considering that they had a stability in their jobs, social life, education and finances but at the same time they told me about their frustrations, emotions and needs in their lives.

My case was similar in the sense that I had my life in Colombia but I wanted a change and better life. However, to be an immigrant is not easy and if you don’t speak the language fluently, for example, in Canada it is important to speak English and French (Depends on the province). If you aspire to a good job you should speak good English (In my case it is English language because I’m living in Toronto). It’s true that Canadians are friendly and kind with newcomers but certainly there is a lot of competition in the labor market and for that it is important to have certain skills or abilities.

On the other hand, Toronto is a multicultural city and for me has been a nice experience to know about the variety in gastronomy, cultures, religions and other forms of life. Nevertheless, in this pandemic time the possibility to continue knowing about Toronto is limited and for that reason we have to wait.

Living in another country makes you feel alone, the emotions and feelings change but it’s important to have a social network, in our case we are introverted people but there are several ways to meet other persons like events at parks, libraries, workshops or conferences about different topics.

In summary, moving to another country is not easy but not impossible either, the success depends on each person and its behavior. Fortunately, there are opportunities and the most important is to take advantage of them. 

DARR.

information, knowledge, languages, self-improvement

Real Life English

dianangelika0607

08/06/2020

My principal target now is to be able to understand the English language. My experience with the language haven’t been easy because before beginning with Real Life I studied at an English school where I learnt some topics and grammar tools, which were useful for me when I got out to the real world but I realized that I needed more since when the people talk to me many times I didn’t understand and I thought “ Holly cow those people are talking very fast and I don’t understand anything” I felt so frustrate and sometimes I thought to give up the dream to learn English. However, I chose another way and with the situation of the Covid 19 I started to learn English for myself. I took advantage that I like watching tv and a good resource to learn English for me is watching tv series. I started to watch Friends. I love that series due to being so real and very funny. First, I watched it with subtitles and now I don’t use them. Another series that I recommend is Modern Family which is very funny too. The plot is about three families with different problems and cases that imitate real life. There is a character who is a Colombian lady and I feel identified with her because her Latin accent is very remarkable and funny also her pronunciation is really hilarious. Other series that I’m watching are Fullest House, The Witcher, The Crown and 13 reasons Why. I tried to watch Suits but I didn’t catch their vocabulary because it’s a series about some lawyers and there is a lot of vocabulary about business, law and other stuff that was complex for me. It’s a really interesting series but I felt that the series develops at a very fast pace, however when I improve my English, I’ll come back to watch it.

Another way that I think it’s really good to learn English is on YouTube where I found the channel Learn English With Tv. That channel from my point of view is amazing, creative, original and helps me to learn a lot of vocabulary. I’m a visual person and the method to see a scene and doing their analysis is very practical for me, also the series, movies and songs are really great. 

Listening to music and following the lyrics of a song is another way to learn English, sometimes it’s difficult since there are fast rhymes but if you like the music is an enjoyable activity.

Anyway, there are other ways to learn English like podcasts, reading books, participating in Meetups, watching or listening to news, going to libraries, participating in conversation clubs, definitely the best way to learn is by playing and enjoying it. For me to start this course is a big challenge but it´s an opportunity too. I agree that if you want something the attitude is very important to reach a target. I know that sometimes it´s difficult and you feel down, of course the method is very important, since my experience staying in a classroom all morning learning vocabulary and grammar in not enough and schools still use that methodology, I decided to change the traditional education  and use other ways like to be immerse in the native community. The most important is practice, take risks, have a good attitude and hit a hurdle. In my country we say “jump into the water” or in other words to take the correct pill.

DARR.

information, knowledge, Travel

Unveiling Colombia

dianangelika0607

15/06/2020

I would like to tell you a little bit about my country, Colombia which is a country located in South America. Sadly, our image around the world is not the best because most people associate Colombia with drug trafficking and cocaine. It’s true that in 80s and 90s Pablo Escobar and their cartel were responsible for spreading that bad image of violence, drugs and mismanaged power. Unfortunately, that perception nowadays hasn´t changed. However, my purpose is telling you briefly other aspects about Colombia and show you the other side of the coin.

Firstly, Colombia has the best coffee in the world with extraordinary quality, its geographic conditions is very favorable for coffee cultivation and Colombia has the ambassador of the Colombian coffee worldwide who is Juan Valdez.

Secondly, we have a lot of birds, almost 1.900 species inhabiting there. Also, Colombia has a diversity of natural resources like wildlife, flora, water sources, fruits and vegetables. In general, a marvelous ecosystem.

Thirdly, Colombia has a cultural variety that is represented in their different habits, traditions and beliefs. Colombia is rich in dancing, music, painting and literature and has remarkable representatives in each one. The most relevant Colombian writer is Gabriel Garcia Marquez who wrote the book One Hundred years of Solitude and won The Novel Prize of Literature with that book.  On the other hand, Colombia has some outstanding painters like Fernando Botero, Alejandro Obregón, Lucy Tejada and David Manzur. Singers like Shakira, Juanes, J Balvin and Maluma. In acting has an excellent actress like Sofia Vergara, the unforgettable Gloria in the TV series Modern Family. Besides, if you like dancing there are different genres like salsa, merengue, vallenato, cumbia and reggaeton (some of them). In science Colombia has important scientist like Rodolfo Llinás, Jorge Reynols and Adriana Ocampo.

Colombia has different landscapes surrounding its cities, towns and villages. People will choose the place to visit depending on their interest. I recommend some places like Caño Cristales, The Coffee Zone, Medellin, Cartagena and Villa de Leyva.

The gastronomy in Colombia is fantastic there are uncountable receipts, with incredible flavors, soups, desserts, juices and delicious plates. 

The last but not less important is its people, if you go to Colombia you would feel a warmer atmosphere with people. Although the economic situation, problems that happen, people in Colombia are friendly, kind and try to do their best so that the tourists feel terrific and have the desire to come back and visit Colombia again.

DARR.