Alex Writes

Activities that Promote Healing and Transformation

How do you keep yourself from breaking down in the middle of this pandemic? Do you have any personal rituals that you do every time some heartbreaking news comes in? What about a particular activity? Well, maintaining your well-being can be a little bit of a challenge as of the moment. It is not because you do not have the guts and will but because of the horrible things, such as the pandemic, recent Beirut explosion, crashing of the plane in the Calicut International Airport, and more, that are happening in the world.

You may want to take a breather so that you can still process the events one by one. Since there are a lot of stresses that are happening, please do not forget to put some attention to your holistic well-being. You will also need healing and transformation so that you can maintain a good lifestyle and keep yourself healthy. With that being said, listed below are the activities that promotes healing and transformation.

Exercising

Exercise has its own way to eliminate the toxic and stress in your body. The more you move and the longer the session becomes, the bigger the chance that the unwanted fats and frustrations come off you. Since quarantine began, there are many people that happen to put allocate their time to exercise. Some are working out at home because most gyms are closed because of the pandemic. So, if you want to truly bring out the best in you so that you can achieve the healing and transformation that you deserve, you may want to start working out now! Although it is not mandatory, but if you care for your body then you may want to give it a try. Also, it doesn’t only improve your physical health but it also creates a lot of impact in your mental health.

Reading

Books are, indeed, great instruments for healing and self-development. They are not merely paper and ink combined together because they are more than that. Literature is not only a corner for entertainment but also for learning. Hence, books can also become teachers and advisers. They contain stories and words of wisdom that can create a huge impact in your life. That is why reading can be the perfect activity for you! In fact, there are books that directly feature self-development that are available in bookstores near you. A great example is the Healing and Transformation: Moving from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary, a book that promotes spiritual healing by Eric Alsterberg. What are you waiting for? Grab a book, brew a coffee, and start reading now!

Communicating

In these stressful and trying times, keeping your lines open may be one of the best things to do. It is not only beneficial for you but also on the person on the other line. Being able to communicate closely with your family is already a perk that not everyone is enjoying right now. You may start by asking them how their day went or what’s for dinner, a simple question can lead to a full-blown and hearty conversation. This digital age also allows you to communicate with your distant friends. You can video chat wherever the two of you are in the world and keep updated with each other’s lives. With that, you can grow with each other by giving one another advices, life updates, and shoulder to lean on.

Traveling

Since the pandemic is enjoying 2020, it cannot be denied that you had a lot of travel plans and get aways that were canceled. Just like that, spring passed by like a stranger and summer is almost at the end of its journey. However, there have been many places that opened and there are also places that ended their state-wide quarantine. You may go on a short road trip with you mask and face shield on, and enjoy a little bit of the sun by going on a little hiking, sight-seeing, and swimming. Make sure that you have loaded your car with the essentials, like food, extra masks, and disinfectant. It is to ensure that you will have fun and be safe in the middle of this pandemic. Also, do not forget to follow the social distancing measures!

4 Shelf-worthy Fantasy Fiction Series to Check Out this Month

You probably have heard about fantasy fiction, perhaps it is already one of your favorite genres in the world. Imagine spending the month of August, also known as the last month of summer, discovering and reading new fantasy series? It would be the best thing ever! You wouldn’t be spending the rest of summer being completely bored since you cannot totally enjoy the perks of going out due to the pandemic.

There are many amazing stand-alone fantasy fiction novels that are available in the market, such as Stardust, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, The Book of Lost Things, The Neverending Story, and more. But sometimes one book is not enough, which is why book series exists in order to satisfy your need for adventure and imagination. So without further ado, listed below are the best fantasy fiction series that you never want to miss reading!

Daughters of Twilight series

Collette Jackson-Fink is the author of the books Daughters of Twilight and Sons of Twilight. The series is not only under fantasy fiction but also included in the scope of adventure, romance, and action. The first book was published in October 23, 2013 by the Outskirts Press. It was set in a small peaceful place located in the Midwest part of Waterloo, Iowa that is on the brink of emergence along with angels. After an earthquake shook the place’s core, a massive black tower that is shaped as a pyramid appeared in a corn field somewhere in Blackhawk County making the city attract national attention.

Sons of Twilight, on the other hand, is the sequel of Daughters of Twilight. It was published by Outskirts Press in June 29, 2017. After the deployment of different teams in the area where the peculiar tower rose and the romance that sparked between a supernatural creature and a soldier, Sons of Twilight features a story that brings both beauty and suspense making the readers want to turn every page until they reach the end!

Throne of Glass series

Bloomsbury Publishing is the publisher of Sarah J. Maas’ infamous Throne of Glass series. The first book was the Throne of Glass, which was published in August of 2012. It was followed by Crown of Midnight in 2013, Heir of Fire in 2014, Queen of Shadows in 2015, Empire of Storms in 2016, Tower of Dawn in 2017, and Kingdom of Ash in 2018. However, there was a book that contained 5 tales that was set before the series was established — meaning that it is the prequel of the series, that was released in 2014.

The story centers on the adventure of Celaena Sardothien. She is a teenager and an assassin in a corrupt palace with a leader that supports tyranny. As the main character goes deep in her adventure, she started to create an unanticipated connection and discovers a conspiracy in the middle of her journey. Moreover, the series made it to the New York Times bestseller list and was opted for a TV adaptation.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard trilogy

This fantasy series written by Rick Riordan has also fallen in the scope of children’s literature, Norse mythology, and thriller. It was launched in 2015 when the first book was published by Disney Hyperion, which is Magnus Chase: The Sword of Summer. The second book, which is The Hammer of Thor, was released in 2016 while the third, which is The Ship of the Dead, was released in 2017. The books are available in different formats, such as hardback, paperback, e-book, and audiobook.

The trilogy centers on the story of Magnus Chase. He is known to be the son of the Norse god of fertility named Frey. Since Riordan’s series are usually connected together, Magnus is related by blood to the daughter of the Greek goddess of wisdom and war in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series named Annabeth Chase. Moreover, the 16-year-old protagonist was a homeless teenager. He lived in the streets after the death of his mother. Later on, he discovered that he is a demigod for his father is the Vanir god of fertility, and that’s when his adventures began.

The Lunar Chronicles series

Marissa Meyer is the woman behind the brilliant The Lunar Chronicles series. It is composed of 5 books, which are Cinder (2012), Scarlet (2013), Cress (2014), Winter (2015), and Fairest (2015). The series does not only fall under fantasy fiction but also on science fiction and young adult fiction. Feiwel & Friends or Macmillan Publishers Ltd is the publisher of the series.

Every book in this series involves a science fiction turn on an old fairy tales. Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Little Red Riding Hood are some of the tales that are being altered in the books and were given with fresh elements, making each of them more engaging that they already are.

The Perks of Reading Picture Books

Are you fond of reading? Are you also fond of browsing for photos? What if those two will mix together and become one? That would be amazing because you get to experience the best of both worlds! All you have to do is to go into either a physical or online bookstore and get some copies of picture books. These books are under children’s literature and are intended for children, but they do not restrict you from reading one.

Among the promising authors of picture books are Maurice Sendak, Gabriella Eva Nagy, Dr. Seuss, Matt de la Peña, Doreen Cronin, Marcus Pfister, and more. Are you still debating whether you want to dig into a picture or book or not? Well, worry not! You can cease that internal debate now because listed below are the benefits of reading picture books. You’ll be surely surprise and get more convinced into reading one.

They double the entertainment

Every person is visual. There is no one in this world that doesn’t find photos entertaining and beautiful. People always appreciate pictures, how much more those images embedded in a literary work? Picture books are intended for the young minds but that doesn’t mean that others cannot read them. They are always there on shelves waiting to be picked and read.

You will be surprised on how much entertainment you’ll get from reading a picture book or two. Some of the stories are humorous and witty but the humor and wit becomes twice the effect because of the illustrations inside. Also, the pictures contribute to the degree of attraction of the book. Readers will be drawn into it because of its vibrant pictures and delightful tale.

They feature a new learning approach

Learning is essential. No matter where you go, you will always encounter something new that will bring you a whole lot of fresh knowledge. Picture books are among those things that can offer both learning and entertainment. They are not only pictures and words put in pages but are also teachers that aim to educate its readers in the most enjoyable way possible.

They do not offer lessons contained in textbooks. Hence, most of the picture books contain morals and values that are useful in everyday life — such as family, love, friendship, courage, faith, honesty, and more. There are also others that slowly introduce academic lessons but are written in a funnier way. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, No, David! by David Shannon, and The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper are some of the great examples of picture books that teach readers lessons that can be applied in real life.

They stir the imagination better

Reading is a good brain exercise. They can generate the imagination of the readers with only the use of words. But can you picture-out how amazing it would be if you can read the words and see images at the same time? It would definitely make reading cooler and get your imagination to work better! You will not be bored or lose some interest in your current read because of the wonderfully-made images and beautifully-written tale.

The more you read the story and gaze on the illustrations, the more your imagination will stir and sparkle. It is because you are already given the face of the characters and the setting of the story. All your imagination need to do is to make these elements work together. Hence, you will not have a hard time picturing out the appearance of something or someone because the illustrations will guide your imagination.

They help readers process the story clearly

Pictures are definitely helpful. In literature, they are the elements that help the readers to gain better understanding. Moreover, it is a known fact that most books from different genres contain only great stories written by great writers, picture books enjoy the perks of their difference and uniqueness. Although there is a popular quote that goes “do not judge a book by its cover,” it cannot be denied that picture books have covers that are amazingly illustrated making readers become drawn to them.

The illustrations embedded in every page of a picture book help the readers, especially the younger ones, to process the story better. It is because of the fact that sometimes there are words that are hard to comprehend and statements that are hard to decipher in a story. So, being supplied with an illustration that is related to the particular scene or chapter is a great help. Thus, it will improve not just the vocabulary of the readers but also their critical-thinking and comprehension skills. Picture books, indeed, proved that they are among the greatest literary works of all time.

4 Essential Activities that Will Require a Lot of Typing in the New Normal

Since the coronavirus outbreak in the states, everything is changing. There have been a lot of stores declaring for bankruptcy, people getting sick, hospitals becoming full, health workers fighting 24/7, and chaos from different parts of the world. Because the threat to everybody’s health is still out there making the most of 2020, what choice do you have other than keep yourself healthy and safe?

As much as possible, people are keeping themselves from going outdoors because of the risk of catching the virus. The government from different parts of the world is funding their own research team to discover a cure for this invisible enemy. And just like that, the world started to take a break. Everything has started to take a slower pace and make gradual changes pertaining to one’s work, education, and lifestyle.

There have been several activities that have been slowly migrated its process from a specific institution to the people’s houses. It is to avoid transmission and keep everyone healthy. This new arrangement will definitely require you to become tech-savvy and is expecting you to be knowledgeable at typing, not just scribbling words using a keyboard but also typing right. With that being said, here are some of the crucial activities that will require a lot of typing during this pandemic and upcoming “new normal.”

Working from home

Several establishments opt to impose a work from home arrangement in order to save their business and keep their employees safe. When most businesses are closing their doors due to lack of funds, there are many that are trying to survive the sudden drop of the economy during these trying times. “Survival of the fittest,” like how Charles Darwin said didn’t only apply to animals and evolution but also to businesses and economy.

If you are among these workers that were mandated to transition from office-based to home-based, then consider yourself lucky! You can still bring a food to your table in this difficult time. The new work arrangement can be a little confusing at first since there are no managers and supervisors to assist you physically. Everything is being done online with the use of a computer, and that’s when your typing skills become essential. You have to be good in typing in order to keep the communication between you and your colleagues, as well as to have your work done.

Attending classes

Education is one of the most important things in this world. However, attending classes can be a risk especially for those kids who already have a health condition or those with weak immune system. The lack of social distancing in many academic institutions makes it harder for schools to and even the students to keep themselves safe.

Furthermore, there are many schools that have imposed a new academic arrangement for this school year. Some are working on transitioning from face-to-face learning to online classes. So, students will not report to school but only be taught by using the online video conference platforms, such as Google meet, Zoom, and Skype. With that being said, you really need to practice and develop your typing skills in order to become proactive in your class.

Getting your modules done

Some schools are proposing a modular type of learning. It is to ensure the well-being of every student that is enrolled in their institution. The modular learning system means that the students will be handed with modules that they must finish before the given term. After they are done with the modules, they can be accelerated to a new grade level.

Being good in typing can become your advantage, especially if you opt to go or the modular learning system. You can use this particular skill to acquire data that are essential to the lessons that are in your modules. Also, you can conduct studies with the help of the internet by typing keywords that are relevant to your topic. Hence, typing right is the key to a better and faster module completion and learning.

Connecting with friends

You cannot deny the fact that you are missing your friends. Spending spring and summer mostly in the four corners of your house is definitely two of the boring things in this world. There have been a lot of things that many of you are missing out, like prom, graduation, and other important events. Hanging out and going on trips with your circle can be something to look forward to, but with the pandemic going on, you can only list that activities on your planner.

There are a lot of ways on how to reconnect with your friends. All you need to do is to pick up your gadget and open a platform that will allow you to communicate, something like viber, skype, messenger, or zoom. You can also opt for text messaging. But this new mode of communication will not only require you to talk but also to type. Hence, typing is really an important skill to master.

Young Adult Science Fiction Novels to Read this Month

Are you a fan young adult books? What about science fiction? If the answer to both questions are yes, then these young adult science fiction book that we have compiled are perfect for you! You can now make the remaining days of your summer productive, safe, and entertaining. What are you waiting for? Check these books out now!

After the Battle: Kelley’s Story by Stephanie Stieglitz

Stephanie Stieglitz, wife of the promising author Joab Stieglitz, is the brilliant mind behind the book After the Battle: Kelley’s Story. It was published by Rantings of a Wandering Mind last December 8, 2019. The book centers on Kelley who is a former Fleet career soldier. He didn’t put too much thought about what the future holds and also doesn’t care to reminisce anything about his past. That perception of his was simple and that’s why he desires to keep it that way. He was able to make the most of his life until an explosion unexpectedly changes the way things were.

Kelley was forced to quit Fleet’s service making him purposeless and restless. But when a former mate reconnected with him and introduced him to a new but pretty good job, he started think that he can rebuild his life just the same as the old one. Kelley was hopeful to get the life that he had always wanted but when a habitual background check lead to uncover family secrets, it compelled him to interrogate all the things that he thought he is knowledgeable about.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

In January 15, 1985, Tor Books published the science fiction book by Orson Scott Card called Ender’s Game. It follows the story of Andrew “Ender” Wigging who is among the children that were trained to be ready for the expected third invasion. The training of Ender includes some extremely hard games, such as zero gravity or weightlessness where the tactical genius of the protagonist was uncovered.

The story is set in an undetermined date in the future of the Earth. Ender’s Game exhibits an jeopardized mankind following the two clash with the insectoid extraterrestrial creatures referred to as the Formics, also known as the buggers. Moreover, the novel was originally born as a short story with the same title that was published in the August 1997 edition of the American sci-fi magazine Analog Science Fiction and Fact.

The 5^th Wave by Rick Yancey

G.P. Putnam’s Sons published The 5^th Wave by Rick Yancey in May 7, 2013. It is the first book of the series and was followed by The Infinite Sea in 2014. The book is under the YA science fiction category and centers on the story of a teenager named Cassie Sullivan. The world that she lives in is far from the normal for it is being ravaged by waves of alien attacks that completely destroyed the population in their fictional Earth.

After 3 years of the book’s release, its film adaptation was also released to the big screen by Columbia Pictures. Its film was starred by Chlöe Grace Moretz and was directed by J Blakeson. The novel was also among the bestselling young adult science fiction books that have conquered The New York Times best young adult books of 2013.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

The British-American author Patrick Ness is the author of The Knife of Never Letting Go, which is a young adult science fiction book. It was published by Walker Books in May 2008. The book is the first of the Chaos Walking series by Ness, which was followed by The Ask and the Answer in 2009 and Monsters of Men in 2010. It revolves around the story of a boy named Todd Hewitt who fled from Prentisstown, also known as the place where people can hear other people’s thoughts, the moment he heard a secret pertaining to his past.

The book has garnered a lot of awards because its amazing story and elements. Booktrust Teenage Prize, Guardian Award, and James Tiptree, Jr. Award are some of the awards won by The Knife of Never Letting Go. It also acquired positive feedbacks from Booklist, The Sunday Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Independent.

Warcross by Marie Lu

In September 12, 2017, G.P. Putnam’s Sons published the first book of the Warcross series that has the same title as the series. The author of the book is Marie Lu while the cover artist is Eileen Savage. Warcross is already available in print, hardcover and paperback, and digital, e-book and audiobook, format. It was followed by Wildcard in 2018. Moreover, this dystopian novel is set in a present-day steampunk located in both fictional New York and Tokyo.

The novel focuses on the story of Emika Chen, an 18-year-old girl who veered to Warcross to get away from the difficulties of life. The events that led her to turning to Warcross is when she lost her father and when she got kicked out from her school. In order for Emika to survive, she decided to be a bounty hunter, which is a person who traces criminals and offenders related to Warcross, and that’s when her true adventures begin.

Raising Awareness: Everything that You Need to Know About Depression

Perhaps you are already familiar with depression not because you have experienced it first-hand but you have seen it in movies or read it in books. It is among the mental health illnesses that cause people to end their own lives in order to stop feeling the pain and being a burden to others. But it shouldn’t stay that way for it is never too late to seek for help. When you know someone with depression, please do not hesitate to help them. Even though it is difficult to bring sunshine on their darkest hours, always remind them that you are there willing to help, listen, and fight alongside them.

Depression is clinically defined as a mood condition that creates a constant emotion of sadness and disappearance of interest. It is usually referred to as an extreme depressive condition or clinical depression, which impact a person’s ways of feeling, thinking, and behaving. This disorder can lead to several issues that affect the mind and body. This disorder can bring troubles and delays in an individual’s daily routine and may sometimes bring the feeling or thought that life is not worth to be lived.

The common misconception pertaining to depression is that you can easily “snap out” of it and that it is all in your head. But that myth should be eliminated as early as now because it does any good to those who are suffering with depression. Every single person in this planet must be aware about what depression can do to people.

Lucky for you, you are not dealing with monsters in your head. However, you must be open minded and sensitive enough to know that maybe in a corner in your neighborhood; there is one person who is suffering from depression. This mental health illness can be battled by their victims through medication, therapy, or both.

To get a better grasp on what depression is really like; here are the common symptoms about the said mental illness:

Strong emotions, such as sadness, sorrowfulness, hopelessness, misery, melancholy, etc.
Irritability, annoyance, and anger towards matters that are either big or small
Depletion of interest or delight in almost all of your usual activities and hobbies
Having trouble sleeping, either lack of sleep or too much sleep
Easily get or feel tired, even the tiniest tasks take lots of effort
Appetite reduction resulting to weight loss or intense food cravings resulting to weight gain
Becoming anxious, agitated, and/or restless
Sluggishness in terms of thinking, speaking, or moving
Constantly feeling unworthy and guilty
Blaming oneself for failures that were made from the past
Having difficulty in focusing, thinking, creating decisions, and remembering
Constant popping up of thoughts about death
Having suicidal thoughts and, worse, attempting or committing suicide
Unexplainable physical issues, like headaches, back pains, upset stomach, etc.

However, there are many people who suffer from depression that are experiencing severe symptoms; thus, making others notice the problems that they are dealing with because the signs are interfering with their daily routines. Some, on the other hand, continuously feel miserable, undeserving, and unworthy without even knowing why.

There are also different symptoms that appear in children and teenagers. The usual signs of depression between the two are the following:

In children, the signs include sadness, annoyance, adhesiveness, distress, aches, weight loss, and lack of interest in school.
In teenagers, the symptoms may include unhappiness, irritability, pessimism, worthlessness, rage, loss of interest in school, poor academic performance, intensely sensitive, feeling misapprehended, substance usage or abuse, unhealthy sleeping habit, isolation, and more.

The symptoms of depression also differ when it comes to adults for older people tend to experience the following:

Memory troubles
Changes in personality
Experiencing body pains and aches
Loss of interest in things that they once find delight, such as sex
Fatigue and reducing of appetite
Constantly having the desire to stay at home instead of socializing and discovering new things
Having suicidal thoughts

If ever you are experiencing any of these symptoms or you know someone who is depressed, please do not hesitate to ask or provide help. It is never too late to eliminate the darkness that has conquered the world of these people. Take for example Mcleod on how to fight depression and other monsters that once reigned in his life.

You can always help those people with depression in your own little way, like raising awareness on mental health, breaking the stigma towards depressed people, letting them know that you are always there, and more. It is never too late to help. Here’s the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 if ever you need or know someone that needs help. Talk to someone as early as now or be that someone that people with depression can talk to.

4 Best Books about Hunting to Add to Your To-be-read List

Hunting is among those activities that take place outdoors, specifically in the wilderness where many animals take refuge and shelter. Although when you try and think of it, hunting can be a threat to the faunas residing peacefully in each of the world’s massive jungles. It is because of the fact that hunters become a predator that is not included in the natural food chain.

However, hunting is part of man’s history. It is among those activities that are used by humans for survival ever since the nick of time. There is nothing wrong with hunting for preys as long as you abide by the rules enforced by the government regarding animal conservation. Also, you should avoid killing those animals that are considered endangered or about to extinct.

Literature, in fact, has included in its scope this adventure-filled activity. There have been a lot of books about hunting that has fallen under both fiction and nonfiction. Even children’s literature features novels that centers on traveling, hunting, and other fun-related activities that families enjoy. They are commonly patronized by readers of different ages because of the thrill and fun that they give.

So if you are one of the hunting fanatics, listed below are the shelf-worthy books about hunting that you should never miss reading!

American Buffalo by Steven Rinella

Random House is the publisher of the first edition of the book by Steven Rinella called American Buffalo. The publication happened in September 15, 2009. The novel, moreover, has been included in the scope of genres ecotourism travel guides, biology of wildlife, etc.

The novel narrates the story of the author’s experiences during his hunt. Aside from that, it is also a tale about how, in some ways, the buffalo has helped built the people’s national identity. The author will take the readers all over the continent to look for the past, present, and future of the buffalo, such as to the place called Bering Land Bridge where the scholars starts to go on a quest for the bones of the animal in the middle of the New World’s earliest man inhabitants’ artifacts.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

The children’s book titled Where the Red Fern Grows is written by Wilson Rawls. It was published by Doubleday in 1961. The book sold more than 90, 000 copies during 1974 and has sold approximately 6, 754, 308 copies in 2001 according to Publishers Weekly.

The book Where the Red Fern Grows centers on the story of a boy who purchased two hunting dogs of the breed Redbone Coonhound. Afterward, he began to train the canines. The boy is named Billy Colman who grew up into a fine man. One day, he witnessed the neighborhood dogs attacking a redbone hound. He took the dog to his house so that its injuries will mend. Because of the event, he was reminded of the time when he was still a little boy residing in the Ozark Mountains with his two Redbone Coonhounds.

World of Hunting and Fishing by Mike Honeycutt

On June 15, 2018, the Trafford on Demand Pub published the book called World of Hunting and Fishing. It is authored by Mike Honeycutt who personally takes joy in going on trips all over the globe to search for unique trophies and amazing sceneries.

Honeycutt’s World of Hunting and Fishing features his immense love for traveling and the joy that he feels when he starts to search for unique locales to hunt and fish for exotic species of faunas from a particular place. It also contains a narrative on the author’s tales of exploring the different places from the different continents on the globe, such as the northern Cameroon’s savannas, southern Cameroon’s jungles, United States’ rocky mountains, New Zealand’s Himalayan tahr hunt, and a whole lot more.

Green Hills of Africa by Ernest Hemingway

Charles Scribner’s Sons is the publisher of the critically-acclaimed book titled Green Hills of Africa. It was written by Ernest Hemingway and was published in the 25^th of October 1935. This 1935 literary work falls under the parent genre nonfiction and, in fact, is the 2^nd nonfiction book of the author.

The book centers on the writer’s experiences with his wife named Pauline Marie Pfeiffer during their one-month trip to a safari in East Africa. They embarked on their exciting journey on December 1933. Green Hills of Africa is split into four different sections, where is of the four parts are titled “Pursuit and Conversation,” “Pursuit Remembered,” “Pursuit and Failure,” and “Pursuit as Happiness” respectively. Most of the narration, moreover, contains descriptions of the author’s hunting trips on their destination. The landscapes in East Africa as narrated are generally in the parts of Tanzania, specifically Lake Manyara.

Everything that You Need to Know about Alzheimer’s Disease

You probably have heard about Alzheimer’s disease. It is the illness that appears in a progressive manner that makes the cells of the brain to deteriorate and die. You may have read about this disorder in your class discussion or in your favorite books, such as Going Going: The Abduction of a Mind by Jack Weaver; but haven’t really dug deeper into it. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s is the most basic source of dementia, which is a unceasing decline in behavioral, thinking, and social abilities that interrupts an individual’s skill to behave or perform on his or her own.

The initial symptom of this illness can be the failure to recall a particular event or conversation that happened in the past. The individual suffering from early signs of Alzheimer’s will begin to form a severe memory deterioration and his or her skill to execute his or her daily routines and works will slowly fade away. There are drugs and treatments that were developed to delay the rate of deterioration of a person with Alzheimer’s for a particular period of time. They can often help patients suffering from the disease to take advantage of their abilities to function and keep themselves independent temporarily.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s or any other way to modify the disorder’s method to deteriorate the brain. In the further stages of the illness, the symptoms become more complicated and severe, which can lead to dehydration, infection, and even death. If you know someone suffering with Alzheimer’s or you want to delve deeper into this disease; then, here are the factors of a person’s life that can be greatly affected by Alzheimer’s that you might want to know:

Memory

People with Alzheimer’s will definitely suffer from random memory lapses. It cannot be denied that even normal people can forget where they put their spare keys, today’s date, or another person’s name but those with Alzheimer’s tend to experience the loss of memory in a greater extent and worse effect.

Hence, some of the symptoms include:

Asking questions or stating something in a repetitive manner
Failing to remember a previous conversations, important events, and significant dates and not recalling them anytime soon
Constantly misplacing something and frequently placing them in an unreasonable location
Getting lost in a well-known or acknowledge place
Forgetting the names of loved ones and common things
Having difficulties in arriving at the right terms to name things, expressing ideas, or joining in talks

Rationality

The disease can definitely cause troubles in an individual’s thinking, focus, and concentration, especially when it comes to abstract matters like numbers. Another thing that Alzheimer’s makes difficult in a person’s thinking and rationality is his or her ability to do a couple of things at once that may involve money — such as handling finances, budgeting, computing bills, etc.

Decision-making

Creating good decisions and judgments is among the things helps a person grow and become better. But Alzheimer’s can make one’s decision-making to become poor because of the declination and deterioration of his or her brain cells. Thus, people’s skill to create daily rational decisions and judgments can be affected and impaired. Some examples on how people with Alzheimer’s create poor judgments and choices are wearing outfits that are irrelevant to the weather, leaving the food burning, and more.

Behavior and personality

The changes and alterations that happen in the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s can impact his or her behavior, personality, and mood. He or she may also experience the following issues:

Mental health illnesses, such as depression
Lack of enthusiasm
Isolation
Mood swings
Suspicion towards others
Annoyance and irritability
Aggressiveness
Modifications in sleeping routine
Disappearance of inhibitions
Roaming
Self-deception

Accomplishing common tasks and planning

Alzheimer’s disease can definitely create a big change in people’s daily routine. It can be a total pain in the bum when it will hit the point where people start to not recognized the things that they usually do. An individual’s daily routine is commonly done in chronological order for the person is definitely familiar on the tasks at hand. But when the disease kicks in, everything starts to become a mess. He or she may slowly forget the process of his or her routine or will fail to recall the method on how to do a specific task.

Other preserved abilities

There are many essential abilities and talents that are suddenly being preserved by the body for a particularly long period of time the moment that the person’s symptoms start to become worse. The said preserve abilities can be comprise of reading books, listening to stories, telling tales, reminiscing moments, singing songs, listening to music, dancing, sketching, crafting, and a whole lot more.

The aforementioned skills may be preserved more than the expected time due to the fact that they are being manipulated by portions of the brain that are impacted later in the trajectory of the illness.

4 Best Christian Literature Books that You Must Never Miss Reading

Literature has always been a place full of wonders. It offers both fun and knowledge all at the same time; thus, making people get hooked on the perks that it provide. Aside from the entertainment and learning that it gives to the readers, it also has a corner that draws people closer to its religion, culture, and history — Christian literature, for example.

The books that literature produces, specifically Christian literature, also offer healing and transformation. Thus, making the readers feel guided and safe through the comforting words of the books in accordance to Christianity. With that being said, listed below are some of the best books in Christian literature that you should never miss reading.

Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison

WaterBrook published the book by Latasha Morrison in October 15, 2019 called Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation. It is an unconventional Christian novel for it doesn’t only talk about religion and God but also centers on the hottest societal issue of today, which is racism; thus, it fell under the genre of Christian Theology, specifically in ethics.

It revolves around the idea of the diverse races in the world and Christianity. When the time comes that people are being more and more divided according to their racial boundaries, many will be left halfhearted to put their foot on the other side of the road. The silence of the people and the church can become too deafening. However, the change will start in an unfiltered conversation between a bunch of Christians who are open to provide their voices to the burdens, fears, pressures, and pains that are being left unsaid.

The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer

The Armor of God is written by Priscilla Shirer and was published by the LifeWay Press in the 3^rd of August 2015. It contains several features, such as an assignment that can be finished between 7 group sessions in a span of 6 weeks, support of a leader and prayer cards which can be utilized to create a strategy in praying, and materials for leaders that are comprise of a guide.

This book that is in the form of a bible study guide brings a lot of benefits not only to women but all other people of the Christian church. The perks includes helping females to get committed, firm, particular, and deliberate in their prayer discipline, make struggles and disappointments into praying chances, develop and enforce praying strategies that are practical and with purpose, relevant for both newbie and well-versed bible study students, etc.

Sitting on Jesus’s Lap by Troy Louis

The WestBow Press is the publisher of the book by Troy Louis called Sitting on Jesus’s Lap. The publication of the book happened in January 22, 2018. It is the first book of Louis and was followed by Honor God with Your Body in 2019. The book aims to inform the world the things to do when everyone is longing for help.

Sitting on Jesus’s Lap: Life on Earth revolves around the world help, which is a term that is being commonly used nowadays without any liability. Maybe for the past centuries, everyone is hesitant to cry for help, which is very opposite to what’s happening now. Thus, a lot of questions emerge pertaining to the topic, such as “What is happening in the society presently that makes people cry out for help frequently?” and “Is it just a basic term that anybody use oftentimes?” There are also another follow up questions that rise, like “Is the reason why there is a high outcry for help are the issues that we deal on earth?” These questions need answers and this book can somehow give the readers the enlightenment that they need.

Let God Fight Your Battles: Being Peaceful in the Storm by Joyce Meyer

Let God Fight Your Battles: Being Peaceful in the Storm is written by the #1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer. It was published by FaithWords last June 2, 2015 and is under the Christian bible study, Christian personal growth, and Christian inspirational subgenres. It is a literary piece that showcases advices that are practical and knowledge based on the Bible.

The book aims to help the readers conquer the challenges that come their way every single day and openly welcome God’s love and guarantee through the advices and knowledge that it contains. Through educating oneself about the power of God, you will be able to set aside your fears and even conquer them and cultivate a life-changing self-esteem. This book also encouraged the readers that there will be no instances in your life that cannot be mended. Also, Let God Fight Your Battles will help you slowly begin living a life full of happiness and tranquility.

4 Keys to Obtaining a Discerning Spirit

While the world abounds with information as well as “influencers”, “thought leaders”, and “opinion-makers” over the Internet, it has become difficult to discern information and the intent of such personalities who happen to walk among us. What’s real? What’s fake? To get through the confusion, we seek God to grant us discern spirits.

What is a discerning spirit? In the book Deep Within: The Wonderful World of God by Gregory Fetherson, the author defines it as “a gift from God and He wants us to be aware of our surroundings. A discerning spirit shows you who people are without their mask. A whole lot of people are wearing masks and if you don’t have a discerning spirit, you’ll never know the difference.”

Why is it necessary that we obtain such a spirit? The author says it further:

God is Spirit and those who believe must worship Him in spirit and in truth. If you’re not honest with yourself, then it’ll be impossible to think you can fool God, by saying with your mouth you love Him and knowing deep within you despise Him. Thank goodness God judges us in accordance to the reins of our heart, which cannot tell a lie, because what’s in the heart will certainly come out of your mouth. If you don’t have a discerning spirit within, you’ll never know if other people are telling the truth or telling lie.

How can you obtain and develop a discerning spirit?

Pray to God

To obtain a discerning spirit, you must pray to God, who is the source of wisdom and spiritual discernment. God wants you to develop a discerning spirit so you will know the difference between what’s real and what’s fake. Learn from the example of King Solomon who prayed to God, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (1 Kings 3:9).

Replace the word ‘wisdom’ with the word ‘discernment’ in James 1:5-6, and you will have, “If any of you lack discernment, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

Persistently pray that God will grant you a discerning spirit. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

Know God more intimately

A discerning spirit is the fruit of intimacy with God, and intimacy with God is available to you. The Bible shows us that God is intimate with those who trust and lean on Him because the more you trust God, the more intimately you come to know Him. When you get to know Him more intimately, you gain first-hand experience of His love and wisdom and that help you obtain a discerning spirit.

True believers want to experience intimacy with God. The psalmist declares in Psalm 73:28, “It is good for me to draw near to God.” Those who regularly read, meditate and reflect on the Bible take heed of James’ exhortation and promise, “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

Get into fellowship with fellow believers

Just as plants need the right environment to grow and bear fruits, you need to be nurtured in an authentic church environment in order to obtain and develop a discerning spirit. An authentic church is a place where you can pray and read the Bible with fellow believers, seek godly counsel, grow your spiritual gift (or gifts), and profess and proclaim God and Jesus Christ. A genuine fellowship with fellow believers (of sound faith and unparalleled love for truth and zeal for righteousness) will help you grow your faith as well as your openness to receiving such a spirit, plus other gifts, from God.

When you are planted in the life of a spiritually healthy, Christ-centered, Bible-based church, you could grow and flourish in your particular gift. “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” Psalm 92:13

Read, meditate, and reflect on the Word of God

To obtain a discerning spirit, you should pray and ask God, then go to His Word, the Bible, especially the Book of Proverbs. Why the Bible?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Make it a habit to read, meditate, and reflect on the Word of God to obtain a discerning spirit.

May God grant you a discerning spirit!