Milton, John

Tema: Paz
A paz não corrompe menos do que a guerra devasta

via @notiun

Buttafava, Vittorio

Tema: Amor
À mulher que se ama, podem-se perdoar até os cornos; àquela que já não se ama, não se perdoa nem mesmo uma sopa salgada

via @notiun

Castelo Branco , Camilo

Tema: Ciúme
O basilisco do ciúme é, às vezes, o galvanismo dos corações regelados e mortos pelo tédio

via @notiun

Maupassant, Guy

Tema: Ilusão
Choram-se às vezes as ilusões com tanta mágoa, como se choram os mortos

via @notiun

Tchekhov, Anton

Tema: Confiança
Confia no teu cão até o último momento, mas na tua mulher ou no teu marido, apenas até a primeira ocasião

via @notiun

Durkheim, Émile

Tema: Experiência
É preciso sentir a necessidade da experiência, da observação, ou seja, a necessidade de sair de nós próprios para aceder à escola das coisas, se as queremos conhecer e compreender

via @notiun

Alberoni, Francesco

O amor, para durar, tem de ser também confiança, também estima. Isto é, deve adquirir algumas das propriedades da amizade

via @notiun

Catulo, Caio

O que uma mulher diz ao seu amante, escreve-o na brisa e na água que corre

via @notiun

Hatherly, Ana

O amor ama as coisas difíceis, por isso quem ama vive num permanente estado de impaciência

via @notiun

nonconcept: Oceanfront Residence, located in Sydney, Australia...

nonconcept:

Oceanfront Residence, located in Sydney, Australia by Rolf Ockert Design Studio.

HOW TO OVERCOME BOUTS OF DEPRESSION

Depression is a seriously hard thing to overcome. Many people get it only once in their lifetime. Other people get bouts of depression again and again, which makes life hard living. However, there are certain steps you can take to overcome depression bouts and alleviate the pain and suffering that stems from it.

I hope these steps will inspire you to live the kind of  life you really want to live. I hope you can overcome these depression bouts once and for all. I hope you can live like a free bird without a cage.

I have come from the depths of depression. I know I have come out with many difficulties. I know that you never give up. You will continue fighting until you get the life you want! Just keep your fingers crossed, your motivation in check, and everything will be fine. You are not alone. You will never be alone.

1. Redirect Thoughts

Redirect your thoughts so you focus more on the positive instead of the negative. Pondering the negative will lead you nowhere. Instead, focus on all the positives in you life. They will help you lead a more balanced life full of content, happiness, and laughter. Every time you think of something negative, think of all you can be grateful for. It may be the house you currently have, the family you have, food you have, or even the job you have. If you think about it, many people don’t have these commodities that z lot of us take for granted.

We sometimes hope and crave and wish for so much that we forget the gifts that are in front of us every single day of our lives. They are indeed special, but we tend to overlook them sometimes. If only we would be able to see the wonderful things right in front of us, then these bouts of depression would never come to haunt our very lives.

So, every time you think of something negative, make it into something positive and inspirational. It should help you relieve the anxiety, pain, and negativity that depression gives you. It will no doubt help you feel stronger and in charge of your depression. So, try it! It will surely help you. I try it every single day. I must say it does wonders in transporting the mind from the negative into the positive.

2. Have Something Planned Every Weekend To Unwind Your Mind

When something is planned every weekend, there is a channel that gives you happiness of any kind to look forward to. You can plan a weekend at the beach, amusement park, museum, or aquarium. Go ahead and do anything that makes you happy!

When we look forward to something, it builds excitement, thrill, and fun in our bodies. It helps us become a child once again, anticipating what is to unfold. Curiosity can be a wonderful thing to have, especially for those trying to recover from the grips of depression, and those that constantly battle it everyday.

I am telling you from experience, if you have something planned for the weekend after such a lengthy week at the work, your depression will start going away and diminish each passing day. I tell you from my own experience because I have battled severe depression. Bouts can be so bad it makes you unable to get out of bed, work, eat, or sleep. However, once you start enjoying life, and looking forward to planned adventures the symptoms begin to fade.

3. Have a Routine

When you have a routine, you always can look forward to something. When you have a plan in mind, you will get ready, and your hopes go up with high expectations. This will lead you to forgo your depression, get active, and hopefully begin to forget about what is bothering you.

4. Don’t Be Afraid To Reach Out For Help

There is someone out there who can and will help. You could go talk with a psychiatrist, friend, or relative. If you feel yourself slipping into serious depression, then make sure you go see a doctor or professional if need be.

There is no shame in admitting that you are in a downfall. The brave come out and say they are having a hard time dealing with these struggles by seeking help, because they want to make the most out of the life they have been given. Make sure you seek help when you can. There is nothing wrong whatsoever with seeking help. Doctors, friends, and relatives are there for a reason. They are there for celebration in each of our lives. They’re here for us when we need major help.

Depression is also one of those major times when you must rely on family and friends. So, go out and seek help if you need it. You are brave in doing so. Who doesn’t want to show courage when times are not on our side! Just take that one step towards your freedom and happiness. You will feel much better in the end. I can guarantee that from my personal experience as I have gone through hell and back.

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12 Hacks to Make Room for a Nursery in a Small Home

Welcoming a brand new baby into your life and home is one of the most exciting experiences you’ll ever know. But it can be extremely stressful getting ready for the baby, especially if you live in a tiny space with just one bedroom, and you don’t have the means (or desire) to move. That’s where these 12 useful nursery hacks come in handy!

1. Maximize Hidden Storage

image from Brave New Home

If you live in a one-bedroom apartment, your nursery will most likely need to be in the corner of your bedroom. The space underneath your bed will be your greatest asset, and you might also utilize the space under your dresser or the inside compartment of a chair. Use these hidden spaces to store clothing, extra diapers, and more.

2. Use Fold-Down Technology

image from Decorpad

If you aren’t sure what this looks like, just research tiny homes and you’ll get a pretty good idea. Essentially, you can use fold-down technology to store the crib and changing station against the wall when you’re not using them, and simply pull them back down when it’s time for baby to go to sleep or be changed.

3. Portable Nursing Caddy

image from From Faye

You definitely need a place to store all of your nursing supplies so that you aren’t leaving nursing bras or nipple cream out in the open. A portable caddy that you can hang on the side of your crib or changing station is the perfect solution!

4. Forgo the Closet

image from Emily May

You can do without a closet for the baby. Just use a nice, compact dresser and/or changing table to store the baby’s things. You can worry about the closet when your baby gets a little older.

5. Use Vertical Storage

image from Brandi Korte

You can always find more space when you look up. Stack the baby’s accessories high on one wall of your bedroom using shelving. Just keep a stepstool nearby when you need to reach the extra diapers on the top shelf. Make sure you put the baby down first, please!

6. Find Collapsible Amenities

image from amsd2dth

A pack-and-play probably isn’t your first choice when it comes to your baby’s sleeping arrangements, but it will help you find the space you need. Not all collapsible cribs are hideous–don’t worry. You can find a selection of nice cribs and changing stations to keep your room clutter-free.

7. Utilize Wall Space

image from Travis Isaacs

Instead of using a cubby storage shelf on the ground, build it high on the wall. You can store everything you’ll need for a new baby in a simple 12-cubby shelving unit above your baby’s crib, and it won’t take up any space on the ground.

8. Do Double-Duty on Furniture

image from M Sundstrom

This might be surprising but your crib, dresser, and changing table could all be the same piece of furniture if you play your cards right. It will soon become your favorite piece of furniture for it’s versatility alone.

9. Hanging Storage

image from Apartment Therapy

With just a couple of towel rods and some hanging plant baskets, you can store everything the baby needs. Simply attach the rod to the wall, hang the baskets, and fill with toys, books, clothing, diapers, and more.

10. Peg Board Changing Station

image from greeneyedmom

Another great way to utilize wall space above the changing table is to create a pegboard changing station. Attach a few baskets to the pegboard and fill them with diapers, wipes, ointments, and more. Don’t forget to add a cute decoration to match the pegboard to your room’s theme.

11. Optimize Closet Space

image from Apartment Therapy

If you’re blessed with a large closet, use it to make room for the baby. Push your clothing aside and store the baby’s things in there. In fact, if you have enough room and a small crib, you could turn a portion of the closet into your baby’s entire room.

12. Suspended Toy Display

image from DIY Inspired

Finally, don’t waste ground space to store your kid’s toys. Use plant hangers to stock stuffed animals and blocks and use suspended magazine racks to hold books. It’s both an extremely cute and clever way to use your limited space!

Featured photo credit: Toddler Room Play Kitchen Kindergarden/Brendacfeyc via pixabay.com

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10 Reasons Why a Simple Lifestyle Reduces Stress and Benefits Your Health

I remember the day we began to live simply.

After spending half of the summer cruising with our daughter on a 29-foot sailboat, my husband and I were overwhelmed by the amount of clutter in our four bedroom house. We went through the house, room-by-room, questioning anything that had not been necessary while living on the boat. We filled our station wagon, making twice-daily trips to Goodwill for a week.

The end result was a lifestyle that was immediately calmer. We had more time to spend together, and we noticed that our daughter, who has autism, made marked improvements across the board. We were happy, our communication improved, and we began to talk about the next steps our life would take.

In our case, those next steps involved emptying our house completely, moving across the country, and living aboard a sailboat full time. We might be called “extreme minimalists,” but it is possible to experience the benefits of a simpler lifestyle without having to take such drastic measures.

More and more studies are showing the benefits of taking small steps to simplify your life. A little less screen time, a few less toys, and a slight decrease in stimulation can reap great rewards.

Here are some ways in which a simpler lifestyle can benefit you, physically and emotionally:

1. Less television will improve your brain function.

In her article, Electronic Sunset: What Overstimulation Does to Our Days and Nights, published on Huffington Post, Tracy Marks, MD, explains that studies have shown that fast-paced television impairs executive functioning in children and adults. What is executive functioning? It is a set of skills, including planning, working memory, problem solving, and impulse inhibition. While executive functioning is more impaired in children who watch fast-paced programs, adults are also affected.

As we’ve had less “noise” in our lives, I noticed that I remember names and other details much better. My mind feels less cluttered. I used to have to write everything down, and I am needing to do this less now.

2. Simplifying will help you sleep better.

According to Marks, multi-tasking leads to stress and burn-out. Being constantly “plugged in” and trying to complete too many tasks at once greatly increases stress levels. Difficulty sleeping is often one of the first signs that the mind and body are over-stressed. She reports that children and adults who spend too much time trying to do many things at once often end up suffering from a lack of sleep as a result.

This is a benefit of simplicity that my husband and daughter both have noticed. He used to have insomnia nearly every night, and now he has fewer sleepless nights. Our daughter used to throw a tantrum at bedtime, because she was unable to fall asleep. Since we’ve moved onto the boat, she has started putting herself to bed at a reasonable hour. The decrease in stimulation has helped to regulate her sleep-wake cycles.

3. Having less stimulation will help you concentrate better.

In The Negative Effects of Too Many Toys and What to Do About It, published on A Perfect Playroom, Natalie reports that a study funded by the U.S. government found that when children have too many toys, they become overstimulated and cannot concentrate on playing with just one thing. According to Natalie, “They just shut down.”

We have noticed a difference in our daughter’s play since paring down. When her room was filled with toys, she would get them all out and play with none of them, leading to a constant, unused mess. She is not the only one who has noticed this benefit. I have found that I am much more focused on my writing and on building my website now that I have fewer distractions.

4. Having less clutter will help you become more creative.

According to Natalie of A Perfect Playroom, a study in Europe found that children played much more creatively when their toys were taken away, and all they had to work with were school supplies. The children also learned to communicate better and work better in groups.

My whole family has noticed an increase in creativity since simplifying our life. My husband is more able to problem-solve and gets less overwhelmed when faced with a challenging situation. My daughter will create villages out of the flatware and has begun creating books for her stuffed animals to read. I have noticed that I have more ideas for my writing and have been able to develop my website in ways I would have not considered before.

5. Less technology may decrease the symptoms of ADD and high sensitivity.

In High Sensitivity is Everyone’s Problem–Reduce Overstimulation and Increase Self-Respect, Susan Meindl states that the increase in ADD and high sensitivity is due, in part, to the increase in stimulation from technology and multi-tasking. With technology, there is more pressure to work and process faster, and this is very overwhelming.

My husband has ADD and noticed that his symptoms have all but disappeared since we have pared down. He also used to suffer from paralyzing anxiety attacks, and those have significantly lessened. Our daughter has decreased her sensory seeking and avoiding behaviors and is performing better in school as a result.

6. Less stimulation will help you to feel better physically.

Meindl also reports that overstimulation causes chronic stress, which takes a toll on the body physically. As energy is depleted, a person will seek to feel better through physical means–avoiding chemicals in food, taking supplements, and so on. While these measures may help, they do not address the core issue–that the person’s body is simply overstimulated and over-stressed.

For years, I lived with a effects of having a body in a chronic state of stress-induced fight-or-flight. As we simplified, I found that I had time to relax and calm this physiological response to stress. I have noticed an increase in energy, improved health, and less muscle pain and tension.

7. Having fewer possessions can help you grow spiritually.

In his article entitled What is Voluntary Simplicity?, Nagarja Jade states that living simply can help a person find meaning and grow spiritually, because it takes the focus off of material possessions and helps the person to look inwardly. When a person can no longer use possessions to find meaning and inner peace, they are more likely to find it.

In my case, questioning all of the possessions we are expected to own led to questioning other expectations that society has. And that led to questioning the assumptions I held about myself and my potential. As assumption after assumption fell away, I began to experience a freedom from the restraints of fear.

8. Living simply can help protect the environment.

Jade also reports that having fewer possessions helps to decrease the amount of waste that a person produces. As people become more mindful about what they purchase, they also become more aware of the product’s impact on the environment. Simple living and sustainable living go hand-in-hand, and having a healthier environment will lead to better health for generations to come.

It has amazed me how much less waste we produce, now that we own less. We spend our time and money on experiences, which leave nothing behind in the garbage can.

9. Living simply can decrease chronic stress.

In the article Voluntary Simplicity: Characterization, Select Psychological Implications, and Societal Consequences, Amitai Etzioli states that living a simple lifestyle can decrease the chances that a person will suffer from chronic stress. Having fewer possessions and not worrying about “keeping up with the Jones'” can lead to experiencing fewer stress-related symptoms.

By having fewer possessions to maintain, we found that we spend less time on our jobs. Simplifying has led us to experience a huge increase in our free time. We have time to go to the gym, to pursue our passions, and to go on outings with our daughter. This increase in time has led to a large decrease in stress for all of us.

10. Having a simpler lifestyle can improve relationships.

Etzioli also states that when the focus is no longer on accumulating material possessions, people are more likely to focus on relationships. Owning fewer possessions means spending less time managing them, so more time is available to spend with friends and family.

We also noticed that owning less means that we go out into the community more often. We are no longer “walled in” by our possessions. By sharing resources rather than having our own of everything, we have strengthened our friendships and our feeling of belonging to the community.

Voluntary simplicity does not mean giving up your hobbies or the possessions you enjoy. It means only owning what you need, use, and treasure, rather than blindly accumulating possessions because society says you should. It is living intentionally, on your own terms, and every family can benefit from it.

Featured photo credit: Simple/Bethany Rosselit via myjourneytoithaca.files.wordpress.com

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20 Things Only Parents Of Children With Dyslexia Would Understand

Dyslexia. It’s a word many parents dread when they hear it in reference to their own children. What their “lay” minds take in is that they have a child who will face struggles throughout his/her schooling and in life. Dyslexia never goes away. There is no medication to mitigate the symptoms; worse, it is an invisible disability which (if undiagnosed) subjects the sufferer to lots of misunderstanding and criticism for things over which s/he has not control.

As parents research their child’s dyslexia and receive information from the experts, they come to understand many things that they want others to understand as well. Here’s 20 of them.

1. They read differently.

The brain anatomy of a dyslexic child is different. The area that understands language operates differently than the average individual’s. The brain has to translate symbols on the page of a book (for example) into sounds. The sounds then have to be combined to make meaningful words. The parts of the brain that do this are not as well developed with dyslexia, so affected children will have to engage different parts of their brains to compensate. Part of this compensation is enhanced by specialized reading programs which are research based and multi-sensory, as well as by audio books that allow kids to keep up with their classmates in school.

2. They cannot overcome dyslexia by reading more.

Those who do not understand dyslexia (including some teachers) think if parents just read to their children more, and if elementary aged children are just forced to read more, somehow the dyslexia will be “cured.” Nothing could be further from the truth. While reading to a dyslexic child has great benefits (I.E. information, exposure, stimulation of imagination), it will not help him/her become a better reader. Likewise, forcing a dyslexic child to just read more, in a traditional manner, only leads to frustration, anger, and behavioral issues. It is the equivalent of forcing an adult to go to a job every day at which s/he cannot perform the tasks and is not ever given the training to acquire the skills to perform them. How long would that adult remain on that job?

3. They are not lazy or unmotivated.

The undiagnosed dyslexic kid is often labeled as these things both in the classroom and at home. However, remember to consider the following issues:

– They may not hear multi-step instructions. While the 2^nd and 3^rd instructions are being given, their brains are still processing the first

– In school, during reading class, they are still de-coding the first sentence while classmates have moved on to the 5^th or 6^th.

– It takes them far longer to complete worksheets and tests. When they do not get things finished, the teacher may be inclined to keep them in from recess to make them finish. What they don’t understand is that this child is exhausted from the effort just to complete what he has, and needs a break just as much as his peers.

4. They often need tutoring outside of school.

If the tutoring is designed for kids with dyslexia, some studies have shown, the brain actually changes (this is called neuroplasticity) and “rewires” itself, resulting in enhanced reading skills. For the older student, facing essays and papers for which research must be completed, as well as the normal rounds of standardized testing that come at specific milestone points in schooling, tutoring for reading, writing, and test taking must continue. Private tutoring services that have specialists for kids with learning disabilities are numerous in both the United States and in the UK. With their help and their special approach, children with dyslexia can pass any type of exam, including 11 plus mock exams easily.

 5. They don’t “see” the world backwards.

Yes, they occasionally reverse letters and words, but that is because those words and letters appear differently to them on the printed page. What they view in the world, they often see holistically (rather than in detail). They have a grand ability to see what is “out of place.” Carol Grieder, a molecular biologist with dyslexia, won the Nobel Prize in medicine in 2009 because as she looked at DNA molecules through a microscope, she saw something that should not be there. She discovered a new and extremely important enzyme that is today the subject of cancer and aging research. In this case, her dyslexia was a wonderful “gift” to the world.

6. They need “ear reading”.

This is the term advocates and parents use for audio books. While the obvious benefit is that are able to stay up to date with their classmates in all content areas (textbook publishers all offer their publications in audio format), they are also able to conduct research and to complete book reports/reviews. Another benefit is an increased vocabulary and the ability to “hear” good grammar.

7. They need accommodations in school, at all levels.

While they may not always qualify for an IEP, there are other individual plans that can be put into place that allow for longer assignment and test-taking time, modified assignments (e.g. half of the spelling word list), and orally provided exams.

8. They can be disorganized.

Their failure to have attention to detail causes disorganization, impacting both school and home life. Their rooms may be messier than most, and cleaning them up is truly challenging. At a young age, parents would do well to “walk” dyslexic children through each step of the process for cleaning their rooms and putting things in proper places. In school, older children specifically may have difficulty organizing and managing their time, and may need lots of tools, such as cell phone alarms, a picture schedule, and so forth.

9. They feel dumb and stupid.

They are aware that others in their classrooms are reading better, are completing assignments on time, and do not take as long to learn things. This can really impact self-esteem over time, causing them to withdraw. Teachers must capitalize on strengths and interests, and publicly recognize them in the classroom. Parents need to promote their kids’ strengths and talents with outside activities. Art, music, sports, designing, building, and science are typical areas of strength. Having successes and recognition for those successes is extremely important for adult productivity and happiness.

10. They need to socialize.

When their bad feelings about themselves cause them to withdraw, they may cease to involve themselves in social activities or in making new friends. It is important that parents of young children take a proactive approach to socialization. This may include joining a support group, in which there will be plenty of opportunity for their children to be involved in activities, or enrolling them in clubs, Scouts, or sporting activities. Older children must be encouraged to get involved in activities that will support and reinforce their strengths or talents. For teens, getting a part-time job can be huge!

11. They have average to above-average intelligence.

There is nothing wrong with educators and parents sharing good news with these kids about their IQs. They should continue to re-enforce the facts that a huge number of highly successful people had/have dyslexia. Here’s a few: Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, Jay Leno, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Cruise, Muhammed Ali, Steve Jobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Picasso, and Richard Branson. There is virtually no field in which dyslexic people have not excelled.

12. They need technology.

There are a number of apps which have been recommended by medical and psycho/educational professionals that serve dyslexic students well, from those that convert any text to audio, to voice-command word processing programs, to phonetic skill building in gaming formats. Schools should be cognizant of needs and ensure that these tools are available.

13. They are exhausted by detail.

This pertains particularly to reading and to worksheets in math that are “cluttered.” Spreading content out in larger print and recommended fonts will help a great deal. They will also need frequent breaks. While other students can focus on an activity that involves reading and writing, and accomplish a great deal in a 20-30 minute period, the dyslexic child will complete far less and need breaks after 10 minutes of focus. Beyond that, they will complain of headaches and dizziness.

14. They see what others do not.

Dyslexic children will state the words on a page are moving, that they are alternating between light and dark, or that they are flip-flopping. It is easy to think that they are making this up; however, they are not. It is important to validate what they are seeing as “real” for them.

15. They are visual thinkers.

They learn by pictures and hands-on experiences. This is one reason that many do well in lab sciences. They also remember in pictures. If they can be given visual representations of concepts, they will cement that in their memories. What they read will not be cemented unless there are other senses involved as they read.

16. They should not be “lumped” together as one.

Dyslexic kids are individuals. Their disabilities come in all ranges. Some may exhibit symptoms of ADD, while others will not. Some have real difficulty putting thoughts into words, while others are much more verbal. Some are of average intellectual ability, while others are truly gifted. Some have “acting out behavior;” while others are too quiet. It is unfair to treat all dyslexic children as if they are one homogeneous group.

17. They are frustrated with their disability.

While others who live and work with these kids can certainly become frustrated, it is important to be empathetic. Try putting yourself in the kid’s place and see dyslexia through the eyes of the person actually living it. These kid needs support and encouragement, not disapproving remarks, like “try harder.” S/he is trying!

18. They will be dyslexic for a lifetime.

But with strong interventions and flexibility on the part of teachers, they can develop methods to compensate, earn college degrees, and take their places in many career niches.

19. They can add great value to an organization.

Because they tend to be creative and are visual thinkers, they are often able to “see” solutions that others cannot. In these cases, being dyslexic is a strength in itself.

20. Their sense of hearing is exceptional.

Perhaps because their ability to use their eyes well to learn, the sense of hearing has strengthened, just as it is for those who are blind. However, they are often unable to filter out all of the sounds around them, greatly impacting their ability to focus. The use of headphones when they are engaged in audio learning will help them greatly.

Each of us have strengths and areas of challenge. Our children with dyslexia are no different. Unfortunately, learning has been so intimately tied to reading that they have been at a clear disadvantage. Things are rapidly changing; however, in this wonderful age of technology. We are reaching a point at which we will be able to honor all learning styles, not just those that have traditionally met with success.

Featured photo credit: Cristiano Betta via flickr.com

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