9 Ways Mentally Strong People Retain Their Personal Power

We can look at different aspects of someone’s personality to try and gauge what makes them seem to radiate power as soon as they walk into a room or during discussions and stressful situations, but the one thing that stands out the most is a distinct psychological fortitude. For a mentally strong person, projecting an aura of confidence and toughness seems to come naturally, as if they aren’t even aware of it – but there is a method to it.

There are a number of things that these people do that help them firmly cement their high social status and establish themselves as trustworthy leaders, skilled experts and people in possession of admirable characteristics. We will be looking at the 9 main ways of keeping your personal power, even when faced with great adversity and toxic people.

1. They don’t worry about what others think

Don’t get me wrong, being able to empathize with others and accurately gauge how they feel and think are essentials traits for anyone who wants to become successful, but you don’t want to try to please everyone all the time. Understanding people, social norms and proper protocol is one thing, but you should never allow yourself to make decisions solely based on what others might think. Mentally strong people aren’t afraid to be themselves and make their own decisions, and that’s what gives them power.

2. They don’t wait for others to solve their problems

One of the main characteristics of mentally strong and powerful people is that they are doers. These people are confident and even a little boastful, but they can back up their claims, and they are active – they solve problems, jump on opportunities and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. This gives them a good amount of self-reliance, which in turn makes them incredibly resistant to attempts by others to take away their power.

3. They admit their shortcoming and continually strive to improve

While some people like to take shortcuts and aren’t above padding up their resumes with fake achievements and presenting themselves as something that they’re not, they are not acting from a place of true power. It is weakness that causes men and women to try to hide their shortcomings from themselves and blatantly lie to others about their skills, knowledge and competence.

To maintain a position of power, you must be able to admit that you have faults, and be willing to work hard on becoming a person that people respect and admire.

4. They don’t wear their emotions on their sleeve

You cannot hope to retain personal power and project confidence if you keep exploding and throwing temper tantrums every time someone disagrees with you or says something that offends you. If everyone can instantly see that you are happy with something, sad, angry or disinterested, there is no way for you tactfully dominate the situation – in fact, you need to be aware of the things that trigger these emotional responses in you, and work on keeping your cool during heated arguments. This is how you retain a dominant position during an argument, and it’s how you build up a reputation as a level-headed and strong individual.

5. They make an actual effort to stay positive and relaxed

Just as mentally strong people don’t rely on others to solve their problems for them, or for those problems to magically resolve themselves, they also don’t wait around for others to motivate and cheer them up or the universe itself to align just right and give them what they need to be happy. Staying calm, relaxed and positive requires continual effort; anyone can flip out and resort to worrying, but it takes a special kind of mindset to acknowledge the harsh reality and still be able to keep pushing forward. It’s their ability to remain calm and positive, and their resolve to always find some time to relax, that makes these people stand out.

6. They think carefully before they act or speak

We’ve talked a lot about getting things done and trying to learn from mistakes, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be impulsive or actively seek out situations where you will be put on the spot. One of the most important fail-safe mechanisms for keeping your personal power at an admirable level is the ability to keep your mouth shut until you know what you need to say to tip the odds in your favor.

No matter how emphatic and caring you are, the bottom line is that you need things to work out a certain way for you to be satisfied, and it’s not always going to be in everyone’s best interest that the situation unfolds the way you want it to. This is why you need to take the time to think things through and find the right approach, tone and words before doing or saying something.

7. They have a strong sense of self-worth and are assertive

It’s easy to take someone’s power away if the person does not know their own worth and can’t effectively set boundaries. The main thing is not to give other’s power over you, while at the same time protecting yourself from attacks aimed at eroding aspects of your power and confidence. You don’t have to resort to shouting or offending anyone – you just need to be assertive and unyielding when it comes to your core values. A good negotiator will make a couple of steps back if need be or make compromises, but they will also know when to stand their ground.

8. They leave their ego at home and look for logical solutions

Erratic emotions are only part of the reason why people lose their personal power and the respect of others during difficult social encounters; another big problem is ego-driven decision-making. It’s not always as clear as someone losing their temper, breaking into tears or going on a tirade about how their feelings are hurt, but the ego has a nasty habit of making everything seem personal.

It is also the main reason why people get into heated arguments and even fistfights over trivial issues, and that is not something that a person that emanates power and confidence will ever do.

9. They create a realistic schedule for themselves

When you’ve covered all the important psychological aspects involved in retaining personal power and can exhibit a good deal of self-control and restraint, without sacrificing your integrity or giving your power away, it’s time to delve into the practical side of things. You can’t accomplish much if you don’t know how to organize your life, and the first step is being honest with yourself.

Be honest about what you can and cannot do, the time it takes to complete certain tasks and the myriad of smaller tasks related to the main one. For example going to the gym involves preparation, driving, changing, warming up, the actual workout, drying off, changing, driving home, a shower, another change of clothes and a post-workout meal. Even if it’s a short 30 minute workout, you won’t be going anywhere for a good hour or two, and you’ll have to schedule around it or potentially do the workout at another time or even tomorrow.

Some people are more naturally gifted and skilled in the ways of mental toughness, but developing, projecting and protecting your personal power are things that can be learned through lots of practice. As long as you know the right way to do so, you can become mentally strong and take full control of your own life.

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8 Power Words You Should Start Using In Emails Today

Reaching out via email can be direct and professional. Emailing has proven to deliver results, be it with cold emailing or building an active email marketing campaign. Even when sending an email informally you want your email to be read and responded to in a prompt fashion. Yet many do not understand the importance of the words they use when trying to reach out to a recipient. The truth is that words can be powerful or weak. It all depends on what words you use and how you direct them at the recipient.

The inbox of any recipient can be hostile as every email is on a mission to get their attention. If you make the email too impersonal/overly personal it won’t be difficult for the recipient to be aware of this and send your email to their junk folder. This is why it is essential not to use words that only hype rather than connote relevance and directness. When you make your words targeted and relevant in your email, they will be perceived as special, great and important.

So how do you make your email stand out and what words do you need to use to achieve the needed impact you desire. Here are eight words you should start using in your emails today.

Relevant

The word relevant can have more impact than important or essential. This word makes the reader understand that the item is closely connected and suitable to what is being explored and is suited to their interests.

Proven

This word shows that you are assertive and you are assured about how vital an item is for a recipient. Proven exerts a force to make the reader understand that what has worked before will certainly work again. It justifies your claim and removes the fear of the unknown.

Immediately

When you use such a word in your email it means you want to take care of something as soon as possible. It means you have a timeline in mind to take an action and as such it carries serious power for the reader, especially if they are in need of something done efficiently and quickly. The truth is that online instant gratification is the general expectation– and the word immediately represents this.

Guaranteed

This word allays the recipient’s doubts and makes them aware that what needs to be done will be done. This is such a formidable word because it offers the reader assurance and provides no alternative or options. It is a word that presents an iron-clad offer.

Instantly

Instantly can serve as a more active word than immediately, especially if you have used the latter word too many times already in your email. Instantly makes the reader understand that you mean business and have a goal to meet their needs as your top priority, without them having to worry about you letting this slide to second place. Meeting their expectations has to happen now and not later.

Effective

Using effective in your email makes the reader know that you are presenting reliability to them. It shows solidity and appeals to the basic human need of being able to trust that they are getting something that is required/desired.

Reduced

At the end of the day, we all love a bargain; it is just human instinct to want to give less for more. And how better can you appeal to such an instinct than using the power word reduced? It is a reminder to the recipient that they are saving something and getting a bargain.

New

What is new is always attractive and appealing. Using the word new means that you are willing to appeal to the basic human curiosity and desire to seek novelty. What is new is always exciting and always garners attention.

Featured photo credit: http://www.picjumbo.com via picjumbo.com

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For Busy People: How To Make Your Relationship New Every Day

We all have a lot of things on our daily to-do lists. Even if it’s stuff closely related to our goals in life, we still need to get back to reality and dedicate time to the small things that matter. At the end of the day, they are the things that actually make a difference.

I’m talking about finding the time to improve our relationships, to say something nice to our loved ones, to ask them about their day, and listen to them with a smile on our face. Take the time to remember how you first felt when you fell in love. Remind your partner of these emotions whenever possible.

We all know we should be doing that, but with everything going on throughout the busy day, we come home exhausted and just want some time for ourselves. Unfortunately, if we let things be like that, it soon becomes a habit. We may not notice that right away, but the ones closest to us do. They may even be hurt by the lack of attention.

That’s why you should start doing something small daily to remind them that you’re here and you still care, even though you’re busy.

Here are some little things to do daily to renew your relationships:

1. Practice random acts of kindness to remind people that they are loved.

It may be a small gift every now and then, an unexpected call at work, preparing a meal when they don’t feel well, or doing most of the work at home so that they can relax. For example, I sometimes call my mom on Skype just to have a quick chat with her since we live in different countries. She’s always happy to hear my voice and see my smile. I also send messages to friends whom I have not spoken to in a while, just to see how they are doing.

All these seemingly small things can make someone’s day. The most important thing is that they are random. The other person doesn’t expect them. Furthermore, once it happens, they see you’ve been thinking about them and are doing something special, even though you don’t need to.

In the long-term that can keep a relationship alive, or even renew an existing one.

2. Be a good listener.

We speak too much and listen too little these days. Most of all, we crave to be heard.

To overcome this, sit down every day for 10-20 minutes and pay your whole attention to what the other person has to say. Don’t interrupt. Don’t try to express opinion or talk about yourself, simply listen and try to read between the lines.

You may ask questions to make him feel comfortable, so they can share what’s on their mind. Once they start talking, let go of anything else that distracts you and focus on their words.

For me, this is always during meal times. My wife and I have a rule where we put away our phones when we eat so we can concentrate on each other. It takes no time at all, but can become a powerful ritual of connection and compassion. Accordingly, your relationship will thrive.

3. Don’t judge and criticize loved ones during the short time you spend together daily.

It’s easy to constantly criticize people, expect more from them, and judge everything they do; however, it’s also completely wrong. To make matters worse, someone usually gets hurt in the process.

Instead, accept them for who they are. We’re talking about people you love here, so there are many reasons to appreciate them. You’ve chosen to be a big part of each other’s lives, so remind yourself of the main reasons more often.

Soon you’ll stop judging these people, and will be grateful for having them around instead. They will feel loved and more comfortable being themselves around you. This makes your relationships grow stronger over time.

I have a number of friends who consistently do things which I find incredibly silly or self-destructive. I have long decided to accept them for their faults and just be there to support them when they need it. This has made it a lot easier for me to let go of my frustrations and just enjoy their company instead.

4. Establish traditions and make them a priority.

If you want to make your relationship with someone you love new every day, but are really busy, create a tradition. It means making time for a conversation, or a meal, or to gather with friends in the evening. It could be anything.

Start with once a week, if you can’t make time daily, but stick to it. Make it your top priority. Once you see how beneficial it is to the relationship, you’ll see it’s worth finding time for it each day.

I make sure to bathe my daughter every day. It is our special time in the shower together and she enjoys talking to me. She also enjoys “helping me” wash my hair. Even when I get home late, she will wait for me so she can have that time with me. I really love this precious time together.

5. Be completely honest with the other person.

It’s important to say everything as it is. If you see that things between you are going in the wrong direction, talk about it. Say it directly. Also, share the fact that you don’t make enough time for that person and feel bad about it. This way they will see you still care and are ready to make changes.

If you never talk about it, they may think you haven’t even noticed that things are bad and don’t care. That may mean losing the person without realizing, only because you haven’t been honest and they have moved on without you. Don’t let that happen.

My wife and I have agreed that we will always be truthful with each other, even if it means letting each other know that the other party looks fat in that new pair of jeans. It helps so we don’t go out looking like crap!

Conclusion

No matter how busy you are, make some time daily to renew your relationships. Hopefully, with these tips you can improve your relationships and live an even happier life.

Featured photo credit: Couple d’amoureaux dans une brasserie parisienne / Jean-Marc PAYET on Flickr via flickr.com

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8 Sweetest Things You Can Do When Your Friend Is Crying

Friendship, a bond between two (or more) people who connect intimately together. We all have experienced that connection many times in our lives, whether we were in grade school or in our 30s. Connecting with someone who shares similar hobbies, conversations and bringing positive vibes, is something that everyone cherishes.

It does not matter how long you have known your friend, a year or even 2 months; in my opinion, if you want to be there for them, you will. With that said, if you have a friend who is going through a hard time and is expressing it to you, here are 8 ways to cheer them up when they are crying:

1. Give Them a Cup of Hot Chocolate.

Sit down with them, give them a cup of hot chocolate. Have him or her vent it out with no interruptions. A best friend of mine once told me “I dislike it when a person stops me from venting and gives me their opinion on what to do without asking me.” When he shared the message to me, it was crazy that never came to my mind. While it is nice to have opinions, listening it better.

2. Hug It Out

Grab him or her tightly. Hold them while they are crying on your shoulder. For me, when I am hugging a friend, I like to give them a small pat on the back, while I am holding them.

3. Go for a Walk

Whether you both live in a city close to the mountains or a city full of light, getting out of the house will make you feel refreshed. Go for a walk and you may stumble upon a place neither of you have heard of. Who knows, it could be the new get together place!

4. Drive Around Town with a Playlist

Music is everyone’s therapy. There are so much genres and lyrics that are so relatable, you can’t help but say “Yes! This song is for me!” You can create a playlist full of your best friend’s artists and songs. You can also add in some songs they may never heard of but feel they would love. I would recommend Spotify for this, it is free and easy! Personally, listening to Vance Joy, have the windows and being in company with my best friend, would make my mood turn around in a heartbeat.

5. Dine Out

If you have the funds, take them out to their favorite restaurant! Whether it be Pizza, Pad Thai or BBQ. If you want to get creative, you can make their favorite meal right at home! Have them help out, even if they do not want it, it will keep their mind occupied for a bit.

6. Bake Desserts

While going to dinner can be fun, nothing can cure a heart more than sweets (in my opinion at least)! Try out that new Chocolate Fudge cake you have been wanting to test out. Maybe bake your friend’s favorite cookies and serve them with milk. Also, you can make up your own recipes, if nothing online sounds appetizing.

7. Put on a Funny Movie/Television Series

I love to watch anything that puts a smile to my face. Of course, to forget what has happened prior to that moment but also: laughing is great for you! As of right now, my go-to comedy movie would be Trainwreck starring Amy Schumer and Bill Hader. For anything on Hulu, I personally love putting on Seinfield because George Costanza is very relatable to every living human on earth.

8. Bring Up Good Memories

I love memories, especially with people I love and care about. While you are both on the walk, driving around town with your playlist or baking cookies, bring up the times both of you were happy. Maybe it was the vacation you both took in the summer, or that college party where you both met. At the end of the day, friendship is such a wonderful thing to have in our lives, so we do our best to live up to it.

Featured photo credit: Benjamin Balázs via flickr.com

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7 Signs You Are Lying To Yourself And You Don’t Know It

We all despise being lied to. If asked what characteristic we least like in a person most of us would say dishonesty. Yet, sometimes the person telling us the biggest lies is the person looking back at us in the mirror. Yes, we lie to ourselves all the time. We lie because we are afraid, we feel inadequate, or we feel ashamed. We believe that if we were different somehow or if we were right for doing the wrong things we did our lives would be better. The truth is, the best life is the life we live when we’re completely honest with ourselves about ourselves. Here are seven signs you are lying to yourself and don’t know it so that you can finally learn to tell yourself the truth:

1. Your emotions don’t match your words

Have you ever tried to convince yourself that you were not hurt or angry, but your emotions told a different story? You have tears running down your face or steam coming out your ears even though you say everything is fine. Your emotions may even catch you off guard. You wonder where did these tears come from or why you are so mad. When your emotions do not match how you say or think you feel there’s a good chance that you are lying to yourself. Facing the truth about how you feel allows you to address what is or is not working in that moment. Acknowledge how you really feel and express those feelings constructively. If you’re hurt don’t be afraid to say you’re hurt. Honesty is where true healing or resolution comes from.

2. Your behavior doesn’t align with your proclamations

“This year is going to finally be my year. I’m going to lose weight, start a business, and fall in love.” Many people make wishful proclamations such as these every January, but few people actually put forth any significant effort. If you’re not putting action behind what you say you want you’re probably lying to yourself about what you want or how bad you want it. Ultimately, you feel like a failure because you didn’t accomplish your goal. In reality, the goal might not be what you really wanted. It may be what you think you need in order to have something else. For example, you may tell yourself you need to wear a certain clothing size to attract a mate. Because you’re not being honest with yourself about what you really want your behavior is out of alignment. If your behavior does not align with your proclamations ask yourself why not. Be open to reconsidering your goals.

3. You make extreme statements

You are either paranoid or extreme or both.  If you think everyone is out to get you or that you never get any good opportunities you’re lying to yourself.  Or you make extreme statements such as, “There are no good men around.” You are committed to one vantage point without healthy consideration of other possibilities. You avoid rational ideas. You may be hiding behind an insecurity that you have. Could it be that you’re afraid of success or falling in love? As long as you believe extreme, irrational thoughts you don’t have to make an effort or put yourself out there. You may feel safe, but you won’t achieve what you really want. Consider all possibilities available to you. Consider new thoughts.

4. You feel inauthentic

People who are lying to themselves sometimes wonder, “Who am I?” You’ve been inauthentic for so long you no longer know who you really are or feel comfortable in your own skin. You don’t know what you want. You don’t know what makes you happy anymore. You laugh even if the joke wasn’t funny. You go places you don’t enjoy. You buy things you cannot afford. You’ve lost touch with yourself so you try to fit in with everyone else. Take note of how you feel throughout the day. What things make you feel alive? What things make you feel inauthentic or uncomfortable with yourself? Follow the things that make you come alive.

5. You are not open to input from others

Often there are times you don’t even want to know or accept that you are lying to yourself. You believe that what you believe is the only thing that matters. Therefore, you shut out any commentary from outsiders. You don’t want their input, differing perspective or opinion. This would only shine light on the fact that you are lying to yourself and force you to own up to it. Learn to accept feedback from people you trust so that you can know your truth.

6. You are never wrong

No matter what happened it wasn’t your fault. Even if it was your fault you convince yourself that it was not. Your last breakup was her fault. So was the breakup before that one and the previous one too. The problem with this is that you will never right your wrongs or learn from your mistakes. You tend to repeat the same scenario over and over again with different people or places. You lie to yourself because you cannot accept that maybe it’s you. Let me assure you, it is you. And that’s okay. Learn from it, grow, and do better in the future.

7. You find yourself in over your head

You go after things you’re not equipped to handle because you’ve over-exaggerated your abilities. You find yourself in situations where you can’t deliver what you said you would deliver. You tell yourself you can do anything. You’re not being honest about your skill set, personality or knowledge. Be honest about what you can and cannot do. What you can’t do today may be achievable in the future if you educate yourself. The key is to first acknowledge that you don’t know what you don’t know.

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10 Ways to Stay Awake After an All-Nighter

It is never ideal to go without sleep, just as it’s not good to sleep too much. The benefits of regular sleep cycles have been consistently touted by doctors. Lack of sleep may contribute to low sperm counts and other attributes of unhealthy lifestyles, such as obesity and heavier smoking and drinking. There is also the threat of poorer decision making, and 24 hours of being awake can impact drivers in much the same way as though they had a blood alcohol level of .10%.

However, sometimes, we must grind out that overdue assignment or odd work demands. For when you are facing consistent issues, I wrote an article on changing schedules to maximize productivity. I could argue that with enough foresight an all-nighter is never necessary. However, I have found myself staying up all night more than a few times. For those instances, there are numerous things that can help you to push through the day.

1.Eat Well

Junk food, like chips and chocolate sound appealing in a state of weariness and help out initially, but the effects wear off quickly, leading to a major crash. Eating healthier foods, such as those with natural sugars, like bananas, will not come with a crash and will also help combat the multitude of other negative health consequences of staying up late. A high protein breakfast is the best start to any day, especially after being awake all night. High protein snacks at intervals throughout the day are indispensable.

2.Exercise

Take frequent breaks and make sure they include sufficient body movement to keep blood flowing. Yoga breaks are also extremely beneficial for accessing more energy.

3.Take Aspirin

Lack of sleep typically comes with pain, particularly headaches and moodiness. Nip that in the bud right after breakfast and alleviate the pain that will inevitably come with aspirin or some other pain-killer to miss the distraction and lethargy that comes with the pain.

4.Drink Water

Dehydration leads to more fatigue. Staying hydrated is the best way to stay alert and maintain brain and body functions. Eating ice is also a great strategy to maintain hydration, and the chewing aspect keeps the body active. Splashing cold water on the face is hydrating as well.

5.Dress For Success

Putting on a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie will only make you feel more like going to bed and will turn others away from wanting to interact with you. By dressing like the day is important, you set yourself up with the right mentality. Looking alive and feeling alive go hand in hand.

6.Caffeine and a Nap

Coffee or soda are common things used to combat weariness. However, they are only quick fixes that lead to dehydration and crashes after the effects wear off. When using caffeine, it takes 15-30 minutes for the effects to kick in. The best strategy is to take the caffeine and then nap for 30 minutes to wake up feeling refreshed.

7. Get Important Things Done Early 

There is only so long a person can hold out. Get the important things done while at your most alert stages and try to go home early.

8.Take A Video Game Break

Video games keep the mind active, which is why it’s so easy to stay up all night playing them. They also take the mind off the mundane activities that can make it so easy to fall asleep. Even five minutes of a simple game can put your mind back into the right gear.

9.Listen To Music

Having headphone on with something catchy and fun can keep you bopping along with some zest. The music shouldn’t be too complex or too soothing or else it will just put you to sleep. Anything too thought provoking might cause you to lose focus and become more worn out.

10.Keep All-Nighters To A Minimum

The best tricks only work when used sparingly, so don’t overdo things. Pulling an all-nighter multiple times in the same week will be harder than once a year. Besides, if the reason for staying up all night is for school or work, there is more harm being done by staying up than by getting at least a few hours of sleep. It also helps to get more sleep in the days before pulling an all-nighter, if at all possible, to reduce the cumulative effects of weariness.

Featured photo credit: At work/Mårten Vennelin via flickr.com

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10 Creative Ways to Say Thank You

There are 84,600 seconds in a day. How about using one of those seconds to say thank you? Great idea! After all, a thankful heart is the key to finding joy in everyday things. However, simply saying “thank you” can get a bit repetitive and boring.

Here are 10 creative ways to say thank you.

“Before I get out of bed, I am saying thank you. I know how important it is to be thankful.” – Al Jarreau

1. Tell them why you are grateful

You want to express your thanks in a very specific way by mentioning what you appreciated most when you were in need. Maybe it was a shoulder to cry on or a sympathetic ear. Don’t be afraid to express that more fully like the people in the video below. This is so much better than merely saying “thank you.”

2. Make a donation in their name

Maybe you know what charity your friend holds dear. Offering a donation in their name will be really appreciated and will spread a little bit of kindness.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy

3. Gift some learning

Find out what new expertise, languages, or practical skills they would really like to try out. Gift them a course. There are over 30,000 courses on the Udemy site if they are not sure what is available or if they need some ideas. Whether it is coding skills, cookery lessons, or writing an ebook, you can easily find one which suits your budget and their passion.

4. Use more expressive words

You may not have the money or time to invest in a gift or token, but there are lots of creative ways to say “thank you.” Send a text, card, or email, using some of these ideas. They are definitely more creative expressions!

• You = awesome. Me = grateful.
• Move over, Gates, there’s a new philanthropist in town.
• You’re a lifesaver. Literally.
• Is there no limit to your awesomeness? Thank you!
• You are at the top of the kind-o-meter. Enjoy the fame!

5. Send them a selfie

Maybe you are too busy or too far away to express your gratitude in a tangible way. Send them a selfie of you smiling. That’s your gratitude in a pic. Send it by email or on your smartphone. You are smiling and that says it all. You are guaranteed to make your friend smile too!

6. Take action

Show your gratitude by rolling up your sleeves and doing something that is really creative or useful. This might be doing the shopping, preparing a meal, baking a cake, washing the car, mowing the lawn, or doing the dishes. At work, you can run a meeting or take on an extra gig to give your generous colleague a break.

7. Try listening

As a way of saying “thank you,” you can be the shoulder to be cried on and listen to your friend’s sorrows, rants, and frustrations. This can be a more practical way of showing your appreciation and that you really care.

8. Send an IOU card

Make your own funny card and send an IOU coupon. It can be anything from a dinner in a favourite restaurant or offering to babysit. Writing it down makes it more official and shows you are really sincere in expressing your thanks.

9. Make it go viral

This is a great way to be creative, provided your friend or loved one is really into social media. You want to let the world know how grateful you are. You could always post a story about your friend on your Twitter, or Facebook account. You could also make them a YouTube video.

10. Write a thank you note

Whether your friend is into social media or not, a handwritten note can make a truly sincere impact, as it is now almost a lost art. Taking a pen to paper and writing down how (and why) you feel grateful is a wonderful way of expressing your appreciation. In addition, the presence of a tangible object like a card beats friends and “likes” on Facebook, any day!

“The language of friendship is not words, but meanings.” – Henry David Thoreau

Featured photo credit: November 13th – Iam grateful, I am happy, I am home! / via flickr.com

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10 Children’s Stories that All Politicians Should Read

1. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

The Giving Tree would remind today’s politicians that taking from someone so selfless can ultimately destroy that thing. The story specifically highlights how mankind can take and take from nature, and if this greed doesn’t stop mankind may destroy the environment. For example, at least 22 animals went extinct in 2014 alone. Environmental conservation is a divisive issue for many politicians, but returning to this book could emphasize to them how selfless the Earth has been to mankind.

2. Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

This unique story follows the titular baby bat who becomes separated from her family and is adopted by a bird family that makes her conform to their lifestyle. In the past year, politicians have actively debated the issue of immigration of people who have different religions or cultural norms than that of their adopted country. Stellaluna can remind those politicians that forcing people to conform is not best for them, and we can all get along despite our differences. In the end the differences have the ability to make the overall group stronger rather than weaker.

3. Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

The past decade has shown an increase in violence and terrorism, making the world seem like a dark and scary place. This iconic story by Dr. Seuss can remind us that there are positive possibilities ahead and that we, as the protagonists of our own story, must keep moving forward. Importantly the protagonist stops in “The Waiting Place,” where everyone just waits for something to happen. That place reflects how some politicians are unwilling to move forward with the changing world and so this story could teach them a lesson.

4. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

In this story, the protagonist Harold uses his magical purple crayon to solve problems, so the book promotes creativity. In politics today, there are a variety of opinions on all sides of the spectrum of beliefs, causing near constant gridlock both in the American government and in relations around the world. In order to deal with these problems, creativity is a must. Rereading this book would remind politicians that sometimes problems need a unique approach, that they may need to create their own solutions rather than use the processes already in place.

5. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss is one of the most iconic childhood authors, so it’s no wonder he has more than one book on the list. Dr. Seuss wrote The Lorax to warn of the possibilities of factories and companies destroying the environment through their power and greed. The plot follows the story of the Once-ler who ignores the warnings of the Lorax when it came to his use of the environment. This story remains extremely relevant by suggesting that large corporations in the twenty-first century should act responsibly when it comes to the environment, and these corporations typically have a close relationship with the government and politicians.

6. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

The stories of Winnie the Pooh cover a variety of adventures, and each adventure can be taken as an individual lesson. Overall, though, Pooh Bear and his friends show the importance of friendship and loyalty. Politics are riddled with corruption and betrayal, so politicians need to look back at how Winnie the Pooh taught children the importance of the bonds of friendship. Pooh Bear is naïve, while some of his friends, like Owl, are wise, so they band together to solve problems, just as politicians today must use different people and groups for their strengths.

7. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden covers a variety of lessons as it tells the tale of orphan Mary who moves to her uncle’s home and discovers the garden. Mary’s relationship with her illegitimate cousin Colin shows how her common sense can help him overcome his wrongful medical diagnosis of being a cripple. Importantly the story also can show how family can be found again when all family seems to be lost, and happiness can be found again when all happiness seems to be lost. These theories can help politicians sympathize with the struggle of refugees from devastated countries who seek asylum in the United States, like those who are fleeing Syria.

8. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

The main character in this Swedish story indicates how important it is to not judge someone for their background. Pippi is the daughter of a buccaneer, so she did not learn traditional schoolhouse knowledge and manners. In spite of that, Pippi is brave, strong, and smart, making many friends and having plenty of adventures. Politicians tend to be some of the most well-educated people in society. Thus, Pippi Longstocking can teach politicians that they can learn a lot from people who lack traditional education, and they should look to them to help solve unconventional problems.

9. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Charlotte’s Web tells the tale of a runt pig in search of companionship, who finds a friend in the spider named Charlotte. The book can teach politicians that even the smallest voice can do something incredible, just as Charlotte saved Wilbur by writing in her web. Often politicians only listen to the loudest voices, like those of the gun lobbyists, but this story shows that sometimes the less well-known groups and people can have powerful lessons to teach and can be powerful voices. These people can include both gun-control advocates but also everyday gun owners.

10. The Girl Who Loved Horses by Paul Goble

This story tells the tale of a Native American girl who goes to live among horses, but her tribe brings her back and she falls ill until she is allowed to return. This tale rings true as a lesson on allowing people to be who they want to be. In the last year, gay marriage was legalized by the Supreme Court, but many politicians still do not support the LGBT community. The Girl Who Loved Horses can encourage politicians to support people for doing what makes them happiest.

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