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Asking For Help When You Need It

Jaclyn Baker
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Have you ever felt uncomfortable or put off asking for help when you needed it?

Our days arenā€™t always smooth sailing, and we all need a helping hand from time to time. None of us know everything – in fact, life would be pretty boring if we did.

If you are ready to change the way you view asking for help, keep on reading.

Accept The Struggle

There is no such thing as perfection – but there is such a thing as progress.

Even when you feel confident completing a task solo, there is nothing wrong with wanting to learn more and/or seeking another point of view.

After all, there is always more than one way to do something.

Even though your method may be working well right now, that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved upon.

It takes strength and courage to accept that we donā€™t know everything.

There is No I in TeamĀ 

Now, on one hand, itā€™s important to be independent and make an effort to figure things out. But at the same time, there is value in teamwork!

Not everything in life can be read about in a book or found on the internet. Some tasks require another set of hands and eyes to tackle. Just because you can do something alone doesnā€™t always mean you should!

ā€œAsking for help isnā€™t weak, itā€™s a great example of how to take care of yourself.ā€ – Charlie Brown

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Not Feeling Motivated? Hereā€™s What To Do

Jaclyn Baker
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Motivation doesnā€™t always show up when we want it to.

Waiting until you get that burst of energy to start or finish a project isn’t exactly ideal, especially when time is of the essence.Ā 

When motivation doesnā€™t strike, don’t give up! Try out healthy habits instead.

Begin With The End in Mind

Take time to reflect on what is important to you and begin with the end in mind.

Just imagine how proud and accomplished you’ll feel when that task gets checked off your list.Ā 

Thinking about how complicated or scary a task at hand may be certainly won’t make the process any easier.

In fact, it can bring on anxiety and stress.Ā 

And you know what? Once you actually get started, the task may be easier than you originally anticipated.Ā 

Start Small & Work Your Way Up

Ease into your new habits slowly and start small.Ā 

What sounds easier….

Doing 100 pushups a day for a week?

or,

Doing one pushup today, two pushups tomorrow, three pushups the next day etc.?

Yes, it will take you a bit longer to get to the 100 pushup goal – but the overall process will be much less overwhelming, and you can work at your own pace.Ā 

The more you practice committing your time and energy to something, the more you get used to doing it – even if you don’t love it.Ā 

Link Habits To Your Routine

Establishing a new habit can be a lot easier if you link it to an existing one.

Here’s an example.Ā 

Let’s say you’d love to start reading every day but feel like you don’t have the time. You work long hours, and by the time you get home, all you want to do is spend time with family and go to sleep.

A great hack is to pick just one daily habit you already have and combine the two – such as drinking coffee on the porch.Ā 

All you’ll have to do is bring a book out a book when you drink your coffee so that you can do both at the same time.

If you keep at it long enough, before you know it, that activity will likely become second nature.Ā 

ā€œMotivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.ā€ -Jim Ryun

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Juneteenth

Jaclyn Baker

Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States that has been celebrated by African-Americans since the late 1800s. The holiday marks the day in 1865 that slaves in Texas were finally told they were free, about two months after Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered.Ā  A full two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation, Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. June 19th is considered the actual day of emancipation.

Although the day has been marked by celebrations for decades, with the nationwide protests calling for racial justice, the day has gained more widespread support. The Black Lives Matter movement, has helped put the discussions of racism at the forefront. In many ways, the change and protests across the country continue to spread awareness of systemic racism in our country. The Juneteenth celebration is a time to understand how race plays a role in society and how it has led to segregation, stereotyping, and exploitation.Ā 

This is an opportunity for all Americans to remember the oppression of African-Americans throughout our history as well as the engrained framework that has led to systemic racism in our society. This holiday is a time for families, friends, and allies to come together and honor the lives of all those impacted by racism and slavery.Ā 

A good way to learn more about Juneteenth is to take the time to read articles, watch documentaries, or scroll through social media. To create change and lead a society that is fair and equal for all, it is important to also remember the past.Ā 

For more information, you can check out the following resources:

Juneteenth Official Website

So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth? ArticleĀ 

Resources for Understanding and Celebrating JuneteenthĀ 

A Brief History of Juneteenth: Including Resources for Teachers and Home School Parents

The Juneteenth Reading List

June is Pride Month

Jaclyn Baker

During the month of June, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies are celebrating Pride Month!

Pride first originated a year after the Stonewall Uprisings in New York City. In 1970 the Pride march was a statement that advocated for the LGBTQ+ peopleā€™s rights to live in a world free of oppression.

While it is seen as a time for joy and love, itā€™s also a time for remembrance.Ā 

Pride is not just an expression of the community with an array of vibrant colors. It is also a commemoration of the history that has fought for freedom.

June is a time to encourage open discussion with family, friends, and colleagues in order to provide a safer space for those to live their truth.Ā 

We continue to honor the lives of those in the LGBTQ+ community who have paved the way for marginalized people. Through their example, we continue to grow, love, and give a voice to those who need a platform.Ā 

To learn more you can read non-fiction memoirs, engage in conversation or read articles. There still continues to be inequality but we can continue to spread awareness and compassion.Ā 

For more information, you can check out the following resources:

This Is What LGBT Life Is Like Around the World | Jenni Chang and Lisa Dazols | TED Talks

Library of Congress LGBTQ+ Blogs

Library of Congress LGBTQ+ Studies: A Resource Guide

The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Pride Book List

Itā€™s Pride Month. Hereā€™s What You Need to Know Article

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Itā€™s Okay To Make Mistakes

Jaclyn Baker
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Mistakes are not a bad thing. In fact, they are one of the best ways to learn.Ā 

Not all life lessons can be learned in a book. Some of the best lessons take place via trial and error.

Don’t be afraid to look back and reflect upon past mistakes from time to time.

In fact, you would not be the person you are today without all of your experiences both positive and negative.Ā 

Accept The Past

Nothing we do can change the past, and no one knows for sure what tomorrow has in store. All we can do is embrace and appreciate the here and the now.

There Are No Instructions

Now, there is no ultimate secret instruction book for life. If there were, we’d all be following it.

Yes, we can go into situations with good intentions and a solid plan, but that doesn’t guarantee that everything will turn out exactly as anticipated.Ā 

We may not be able to control events that happen in our lives, but we can control our attitude.

A bump or two in the road doesn’t need to stop you from moving ahead.

Turning Lemons Into Lemonade

Itā€™s not about forgetting that the past ever happened – it’s about turning lemons into lemonade.Ā 

Be grateful for all the twists and turns that have brought you here.Ā 

There are many paths you could have taken – but this is the one you’re in now.Ā 

Just because something feels a little difficult right now doesn’t mean you’ll feel this way forever. Every day is a new day.Ā 

ā€œDonā€™t live your life regretting yesterday. Live your life so tomorrow you wonā€™t regret today.ā€ – Catherine Pulsiferā€œ

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Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Jaclyn Baker
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A change in mindset can transform a negative feeling into a positive one. Every cloud has a silver lining.Ā 

Question Your Thoughts

You have the power to control your thoughts. Every single negative thought can be changed into a positive one.

It does take practice and consistency, but it can be done.Ā 

The next time you notice a negative thought sneaking up on you, stop what you’re doing and take some time to question it.

Why do you think that thought entered your mind in the first place? Did something happen in the past that made you cautious? Or are you experiencing a bad gut feeling?

Just because you think something doesn’t make it true – even if it feels that way right now.

Challenging your thoughts can help you look at events from several different points of view.Ā 

Will This Matter One Month From Now?

Remember, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Just because you can’t see it right now doesn’t mean it isn’t there.Ā 

When something is bothering you, an excellent question to ask yourself is…

“Will this matter a month from now?”

Bringing a little bit of the future into the present can help remind you that even though you may be feeling bad right now, the feeling will pass.Ā 

Practice Positive Thinking

None of us are perfect, and significant lifestyle changes won’t happen overnight. But if you put the work in, anything is possible.

Every small step is one step in the right direction.

Looking at one situation/event a day through a different lens is an amazing place to start.

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Improving And Rebuilding Your Relationships

Jaclyn Baker
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With the hustle and bustle of daily life, finding time for others isnā€™t always easy.Ā 

Cherishing that connection with the people in our lives is so important.Ā 

If you feel like you’ve been putting your relationships on the back burner lately, now is the time to check back in!

Not sure where to begin? Keep on reading to learn more.Ā 

Schedule Check-In TimeĀ 

We get it. At the end of a long work or school day, sometimes all you want to do is eat dinner and go to sleep. We all have those evenings once in a while, and that’s completely okay.Ā 

But here’s the deal – when you do something so often, it can easily become a habit.Ā 

If you feel like you don’t have the time to reach out to friends and family, go ahead and set regular reminders for yourself.Ā 

When that reminder goes off, all you need to do is call or text one friend to check in and say hi.

Create a RoutineĀ 

Solo spontaneous outings and adventures can be a lot of fun – but so can routine.

Having a set weekly or even bi-weekly get-together scheduled in your calendar will eliminate the need to text back and forth to figure out logistics.

It may take some planning at first, but it will be worth it.Ā 

Work Towards Common Goals

Goals are very personal and should be done for you and only you.

You should never feel pressured to do something you don’t want to do because you feel like it’ll make your friend happy.

However, if you and a friend share the same goal, you can definitely work towards it together.Ā 

That way, you can experience the journey together and even bounce ideas off one another.

Let’s say you and a friend both want to become fluent in French. Quizzing one another or watching French movies together can help make the overall process a little more fun and even deepen your relationship.Ā 

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