Category: Mental- Health

Community, Mental- Health, Personal Development, Self-Help, self-improvement, Success, Wellness

New Year’s Resolutions

dianangelika0607

10/01/21

Today is January 10th and it’s the first full week of 2021. So, time flies! And I want to ask you something: Do you have new year’s resolutions? Do you have some goals and targets for this new year?

I believe when the new year starts, we have enough motivation to begin something new like a project, maybe a diet or some physical training, perhaps to start a new course or studying a new language. Probably this year is different because it started with the challenge to face the situation of the pandemic and I know that it’s tough because we don’t have the same conditions as a normal year. Also, many of us had to deal with changes and losses last year left which entails that our emotions and motivations aren’t the same. However, from my perspective it’s really important to recharge our energy and make use of most of our skills and resources, also trying to acquire new habits and abilities with the purpose of shooting for the stars.

I believe that the barriers that people find in their ways to do something new can be from the environment but many times they are in their minds and the pretexts we use to justify our actions: “I don’t have time” and “I don’t have money” the two typical excuses that we have and I’m pretty sure that they can be true but many times it’s our mindset. Regarding to this I remember two important concepts which have relation with the previously written: Fixed mindset and Growing mindset: A “fixed mindset” assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative ability are static givens which we can’t change in any meaningful way, and success is the affirmation of that inherent intelligence, an assessment of how those givens measure up against an equally fixed standard (…); A “growth mindset,” on the other hand, thrives on challenge and sees failure not as evidence of unintelligence but as a heartening springboard for growth and for stretching our existing abilities. (https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/29/carol-dweck-mindset/). Thus, those challenges and difficulties make the people have the thirst and enthusiasm to will something when they have a growing mindset and at the same the capacity to leave the comfort zone.

When people face something new there are insecurities in doing that, we feel fear of those stimuli which sometimes freeze us but at the same this anxiety drives us and moves us. Do you know that the word motivation is derived from the Latin word “movere”? Which means to move (Huber, 2006, p. 481). The word motivation gets its origin from the root word “motive” meaning the reason we do what we do (McLean, 2006). (http://motivationisfundamental.blogspot.com/p/motivation-relationship-to-learning.html).

Then, my advice is to start this new cycle with motivation and the best thoughts. Time is money and we have to take advantage of it, it’s better to regret what is done than what isn’t done. The most valuable approach is the way we take advantage of our time and the experiences that we have. So, which are your resolutions? Do you have a fixed mindset or growing mindset?

Finally, I want to share a link about this interesting topic of Fixed Mindset and Growing Mindset as a complement to my post:

Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives

Have a great day my friends!

DARR.

covid 19, knowledge, Mental- Health, Personal Development, Self-Help, self-improvement, Wellness

Every Ending Has A New Beginning.

dianangelika0607

01/01/21

The past year was a tough year and humanity lived an exceptional period with challenges, obstacles and barriers. Watching on the news all dramatic cases, statistics growing and many human and financial losses without doubt was a hopeless year. I saw different behaviors and the ways how people faced the pandemic situation and I noticed people who followed the rules and indications and on the other hand disobedient and skeptical people. Now, we have the results of all of that where there are more people dying, UCI collapsing and businesses going bankrupt leaving a huge social and economic imbalance.

It’s incredible to acknowledge that everything is real and actually it’s happening and isn’t a fiction movie. However, there are people who believe that all started in a laboratory and it’s a conspiracy. There are a diversity of theories and ways which try to explain all of this but the reality is that we have a massive issue of public health.

I don’t know why people don’t get aware yet, many underestimate this virus and its consequences, I know we just lived Christmas time which it’s a period where people have gatherings with their love ones or they just travel and change of environment after a long year with a lot of labor, academic and personal responsibilities and the best way it’s to get away from the routine of everyday life. However, our reality is different and we need to wait, I know each person has their personal issues and priorities but do you believe that is the best time to travel or have massive gatherings? I’ve watched on the news many people enjoying this period in public places but I believe it’s somehow to throw everything overboard and our effort that we had during 2020 and contribute to the increase in the number of new cases.

For example, Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips has resigned from his position in cabinet after returning home from a personal trip to the Caribbean during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Premier Doug Ford released a statement Thursday, just hours after Phillips arrived back in Canada, saying he had accepted the minister’s resignation.

“At a time when the people of Ontario have sacrificed so much, today’s resignation is a demonstration that our government takes seriously our obligation to hold ourselves to a higher standard,” Ford said (https://globalnews.ca/news/7548706/coronavirus-rod-phillips-returns-canada/)

Why do people go against rules and guidelines? This case is one example of many, I’m really disappointed and upset by all of this. How many more victims? Until when?

Today is the first day of the year and we start this 2021 with expectations and goals for sure, but at the same time with the challenge to face all the remaining problems of 2020. I just wish you happiness, wellness and hope during 2021 and especially good health. I’m completely sure that every ending has a new beginning.

Happy New Year guys!

DARR.

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

Do You Believe That Hope Is The Last Thing To Be Lost?

dianangelika0607

17/12/20

Today’s post title is an idiom which people use in my country, Colombia which in Spanish language is: “La esperanza es lo último que se pierde” and its meaning is like a consolation when somebody faces a difficult and distressing situation.

The idiom’s origin has relation with this myth: According to Hesiod, when Prometheus stole fire from heaven, Zeus, the king of the gods, took vengeance by presenting Pandora to Prometheus’ brother Epimetheus. Pandora opened a jar left in her care containing sickness, death and many other unspecified evils which were then released into the world. Though she hastened to close the container, only one thing was left behind – usually translated as Hope, though it could also have the pessimistic meaning of “deceptive expectation”.

From this story has grown the idiom “to open a Pandora’s box”, meaning to do or start something that will cause many unforeseen problems.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora%27s_box) Also, there is another meaning with this story which is: Hope is the last thing to be lost.

Do you believe that hope is the last thing to be lost? Many times, people can have pessimist and negative thoughts which are the result of different situations. People try to have an accomplishment or reach dreams or goals and they can find some obstacles to achieve them. When this happens is when people need to have resources to face those barriers and these elements can be own as skills and experiences and also, we can have external resources like social networks, financial, physical and cultural resources.

For example, in this time all the world is struggling to fight against Covid- 19. As a result of this pandemic a lot of people have died or we have had to face other types of losses (financial, labor or in relationships) but in recent days the outlook has been different in regard to this problem because fortunately some countries started to vaccinate some population. Obviously, the process is really slow but months ago we had no vaccines and at present the vaccination campaign started. Therefore, the situation generates hope and after a long time of continuous struggle, studies and tests there is a light at the end of the tunnel or in other words “every cloud has a silver lining”, hasn’t it?

The learning is to find solutions, take actions and don’t get carried away by emotions but make the most out of ideas and knowledge. Perhaps all of this in theory is easy to read but when somebody has many problems, frustrations, trials and tribulations it’s complex to apply it.

My suggestion is to find all the resources that you have, using communication and if necessary, seek help but never live with a sorrow, an anguish or a pain alone, asking for help won´t make you weaker and remember after the storm comes the calm or as Martin Luther King said “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope”.

Do you agree or disagree? Leave your comments below.

DARR.

Community, covid 19, Cultures, Hobbies, Mental- Health, Personal Development, Self-Help, self-improvement, Success

Tis The Season

dianangelika0607

27/11/20

It’s November and we’re close to the end of the year. This year has been something special with a lot of challenges, changes and learnings.

I was thinking that time flies and I remember the celebrations when I was child and I was with my cousins surrounding the Christmas tree and waiting for the gifts at midnight. Also, it was a pleasure to see the fireworks and to play with the sparkles and other pyrotechnic games. Enjoying the Christmas carols and eating buñuelos and natilla, traditional Colombian food during this season. It’s really remarkable how those celebrations strengthen family ties and show the value of having special people close to us. However, the circumstances can change and at the present with pandemic time those gatherings and encounters face to face are difficult. In my case, I have a family far away from me and I have to think that our Christmas will be virtual and it’s strange, isn’t it? This period of time is teaching us to be creative, resilient and with a tough mental capacity to face those situations. There are people who don’t care about this reality but to others it is important to be close to their beloveds due to their traditions or culture. Nonetheless, sometimes it is complicated to have what we want for example: the last iPhone, the beautiful dress from the store or the trip to that stunning beach, there are cases where we need to wait.

Sometimes I believe this is a period of reflection and some people say that is a message from nature or the environment, where we need to change our selfish, violent and give a damn attitude. I know there are people who don’t care about anything and they have the most incredible and odd behaviors. From time to time I watch the news and I believe that I’ve seen everything when suddenly I watch another incredible headline with weird histories and I say to myself “That’s why this is happening to us”. I know! Human behavior is really complex but our environment and reality can help to trigger mental diseases. By the way, I invite you to read my post called Mental Health in Pandemic time that has relation to this topic: https://dianix.news.blog/2020/10/31/mental-health-in-pandemic-time/?

Anyway, Christmas is a time of peace, love and reflection. This year we need to make the most out of it, 2020 has been a year which invites us to reflect a lot. It’s possible that some projects and goals that we had this year will need to wait but I’m sure that we developed other skills and achieved new targets.

I believe that everything has an explanation and if this is not the case then it has a lesson and this year is a period of teachings, adaptation, reinvent and meditation for sure.

Finally, I want to dedicate this post to the special people who I know: my dad, husband, relatives, friends and global citizens. I wish you the best today and always. Take care of yourself in this last season.   

DARR.

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.

Mental- Health, Personal Development, Self-Help, self-improvement, Success, Wellness

Is It Possible That Dreams Come True?

dianangelika0607

05/11/20

Starting a new project isn’t easy and mostly because that implies commitment and discipline. Many people are afraid to leave the comfort zone and change their mindset, the daily routines and activities.

The new project can be personal, labor, academic or in another sphere. That is the case to start a new diet, a career, a new book, a physical training or on the other hand, there are projects more ambitious like to create entrepreneurship, a business or a company. In fact, today I watched an inspiring video about the beginning of a Colombian courier company called “Servientrega” whose owner started his project cultivating coriander and raising rabbits on a farm. Nowadays his company is a multinational which its key to success are: Vision, Strategic Alliances, Marketing, Understand Customers and Determination.

This is just one case about successful people but there are other visionaries who started with a dream or a brief idea like the creators of: Amazon, Tesla, Apple, Facebook or Microsoft to mention some of them.

I have always admired people who start a big project without having financial, human, physical or other resources but they have the desire and the idea to create something that can generate impact on humanity. The most important thing is their passion, confidence and belief about their dream.

Taking the decision to start is the most difficult, sometimes there are pretexts, excuses or people tend to procrastinate. From my experience it is like swimming. Before jumping into the pool, you touch the water with your toes and test if it’s cold and finally you take the risk to jump inside it. And so, to start something new, no matter what, requires on the one hand commitment and on the other hand taking risks, the water can be cold initially but after some time the temperature changes and you could swim without problem.

The key is believing in yourself, taking advantage of your skills, keeping your dream firm, having discipline and determination and don’t be afraid to ask for help from other people when necessary. 

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.

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.

Community, Mental- Health, Personal Development, Self-Help, self-improvement, Wellness

Its Cool To Be Kind

dianangelika0607

13/08/2020

This week I listened to a podcast which heading was “Its cool to be kind”. The essence of that podcast is there are people who enjoy to help others without receiving anything in return.

In this world where there are a lot of social differences and those generate poverty and needs in some communities and social groups and at the same time foundations, organizations or merely persons who want to help that vulnerable population.

When I lived in Colombia I worked at University where the slogan is “Education available to everyone”. That means to offer education to all people no matter race, gender, age, ethnic group or beliefs, the most important thing is to have good quality education for a low price. It’s important to clarify that Colombian education isn´t free as in other countries.

My experience there was really gratifying because it was to help ­­­people, with my profession and at the same time I learned with them. Students taught me about goodness and humility.

Doing humanitarian labor feeds the spirit and the reward is to see happy people. Here in Canada I’m done volunteering and it’s fulfilling too. In Colombia there is the following proverb: Today for you tomorrow for me. That means if you help someone sometime, it’s possible that at the time you need help you can find a kind person who helps you too. It’s like the movie Pay it Forward where the principal idea is “a charitable program based on the networking of good deeds. The main character calls his plan, which means the recipient of a favor does a favor for three others rather than paying the favor back”.

Definitely they are people with big feelings and with the vocation to help others, that reminds me of the concept of philanthropy which “…is an idea, event, or action that is done to better humanity and usually involves some sacrifice as opposed to being done for a profit motive. Acts of philanthropy include donating money to a charity, volunteering at a local shelter, or raising money to donate to cancer research”.

On the podcast there’s a story about a guy who travels around the world and hopes the generosity of people will keep him going. He says “Giving is better than receiving”. This is a link that shows part of his journeys in his program telling “The kindness Diaries”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN51oWwwbqg.

In summary, I hope you have enjoyed this writing about generosity, fulfilling and kindness. I want to conclude with this quote of Princess Diana “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”

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.