Latest news with #self
Globe and Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Your daily horoscope: July 9, 2025
Although there will be some challenging events over the next 12 months the influence of Jupiter in your sign will keep your spirits high and make it easy to believe that you can overcome any and all odds. That belief will make it a fact. The message of the stars today is that you will feel a lot better, about life in general and about yourself in particular, if you can bring yourself to forgive someone who has wronged you. Why let their stupidity make life miserable for you? It's a good thing you possess a robust sense of humour because what occurs today will test your patience to the limit. The best way to deal with challenging situations is to find ways to laugh at them, even if some people think you are mad. Information that comes your way today may sound alarming but it won't be anywhere near as bad as you think it is, so stay calm and let the situation work itself out. You can have fun watching others rush around worrying that the sky is about to fall. Tomorrow's full moon in your opposite sign will cause some people to get ridiculously emotional but you are not about to let their madness rub off on you. If you allow only good thoughts to enter your head then only good things will happen. If you are not in the mood to play games then don't force it just to please other people. You are under no obligation to laugh at their stupid jokes, even less so their stupid actions. Keep yourself to yourself over the next 24 hours. The fact that you do not personally agree with a friend's way of getting things done is not justification enough to try to stop them. If they are sincere in their beliefs, and breaking no laws, then stand back and let them get on with it. Remind yourself that nothing comes for free in life and keep plugging away at what you are working on. A major breakthrough is now just days away and as one of the zodiac's cardinal signs you know that your hard work is sure to pay off. If you honestly believe that you are not getting the recognition your deserve then make a fuss about it, but make sure you have the facts and figures to back up your case because your rivals won't just give you the benefit of the doubt. You seem to be in one of those moods when the more people try to help you the more suspicious you get about their motives. The good news is this is only a temporary phase and you will soon be back to your good-natured self. The approaching full moon in your sign warns you need to be extra careful when dealing with people who know how to press your emotional buttons. You may have kept your feelings in check in recent weeks but you cannot afford to relax your guard. The planets suggest you have been kicking yourself mentally over a mistake that either wasn't your fault or could not be avoided. You need to get over the matter before your rivals realize how sensitive you are and play on your feelings of guilt. While a number of small things may be going against you at the moment the overall prognosis is extremely good, so stop worrying about how the future might work out and focus on enjoying what is in front of you now. Live for the moment. Discover more about yourself at
UAE Moments
07-07-2025
- General
- UAE Moments
Your Daily Career Tarot Card Reading for July 7th, 2025
7.7.25 The Hanged Man: Drawing this card can indicate a period when nothing much seems to be happening. It might even appear that your career progress or job search has come to a halt, leaving you frazzled or bored. Try not to fight this, as the first stirrings of positive change will show up in their own time. You can't push the cosmos to accommodate your needs. Instead, you'll have to work on its timetable.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
15 Reasons You've Never Had A Genuine Friend
In a world where superficial connections are a swipe away, the art of forging deep friendships can seem elusive. You've scrolled, shared, and tweeted, yet find yourself wondering why your friendships often feel like empty echoes. It's not just you—modern life is a maze of endless digital interactions, societal pressures, and personal hurdles. Perhaps it's time to ponder what truly stands in your way of building those soul-nourishing connections. You're not alone in feeling exposed when opening up; vulnerability isn't exactly embraced in today's world. Somehow, you equate vulnerability with weakness, forgetting that it's the glue that holds genuine friendships together. When you can't bear to reveal your true self, others can't truly get to know you. It's like trying to connect over a dimly lit video call with a spotty connection—frustrating and ineffective. In denying vulnerability, you dismiss the very essence of authentic human connection. Friends are meant to see your unfiltered reality, not just the curated highlight reel. Trust is built on shared fears, confessions, and those raw, unguarded moments. When you shy away from these, you inadvertently place barriers where bridges should be. Your calendar might be your worst enemy. In the relentless hustle culture, you often wear busyness as a badge of honor, mistaking it for productivity. Yet, this endless cycle leaves no room for genuine connections to flourish. As if you're living life in bullet points, ticking off tasks without savoring the in-betweens where friendships grow. Research from Professor Jeffrey Hall at the University of Kansas suggests that it takes over 200 hours to develop a close friendship. Think about it—are you dedicating those hours or losing them in a sea of notifications and appointments? The truth is, meaningful bonds require more than just scheduled coffee dates. They need space to breathe and evolve, something your packed agenda doesn't often allow. Your social bubble might be suffocating you. In striving for comfort, you may have surrounded yourself with people who mirror your beliefs, interests, and even your skepticism. While it feels reassuring, this echo chamber stifles the diversity of thought and emotion needed for robust friendships. It's like wearing sunglasses indoors—the outside world is there, but you're not seeing it. According to Dr. Robin Dunbar, a renowned anthropologist, diverse social networks enhance our ability to empathize and understand others deeply. If your world is a reflection of yourself, you're missing out on the myriad colors that different perspectives offer. Step outside your bubble and let in the surprise of new ideas, and you may find the relationships you long for are waiting just beyond its borders. Perfectionism can be a friendship killer. The constant quest for an ideal friend—or to be one—leads to a cycle of disappointment. You set impossibly high standards, leaving no room for human flaws. It's like expecting a movie to play out exactly as it did in your mind, only for the credits to roll differently. This chase for perfection blinds you to the beauty of imperfections. Flaws are what make friendships interesting and uniquely yours. When you allow space for mistakes, you open the door to deeper understanding and forgiveness. Instead of chasing an unattainable ideal, find comfort in the imperfect harmony that real friendships offer. Your online persona might be overshadowing your real-life presence. In a world dominated by social media, it's easy to curate a version of yourself that doesn't quite match up to reality. This disconnect can make genuine connections feel awkward or stilted. You're left wrestling with the idea of being 'liked' versus truly being known. A study led by Professor Sherry Turkle at MIT reveals that heavy reliance on virtual communication can hinder our ability to engage in face-to-face interactions. The screen may offer a sense of control, but it also strips the spontaneity and authenticity from interactions. To forge real bonds, you might need to let go of the digital mask and embrace the unscripted intimacy of in-person conversations. Rejection is a bitter pill to swallow, but it's a necessary part of forming meaningful connections. If you find yourself shying away from making the first move, it might be rooted in a fear of hearing 'no.' This fear can trap you in a cycle of isolation, where opportunities slip through your fingers. You may feel safe, but you're also alone in your self-imposed fortress. When you let fear dictate your actions, you miss out on the serendipitous moments that build strong friendships. Rejection is not the end of the world; it's just a part of it. The most enduring friendships often begin with a simple hello, a risk taken despite the possibility of falling flat. Embrace the uncertainty, and you might find the connection you've been longing for. There's a difference between listening and truly hearing someone. Often, you might find yourself nodding along while formulating your next response instead of absorbing what's being said. This habit can create a disconnect, leaving your conversations shallow and unfulfilling. It's like reading a book by only skimming the pages—there's so much you're missing. According to Julian Treasure, a sound expert and author, mastering the art of conscious listening is key to forging deeper relationships. By truly immersing yourself in another's words, you validate their experiences and emotions. It's this kind of attentiveness that cultivates trust and intimacy. Slow down, listen deeply, and you might discover the richness of friendship you've been seeking. The grass always seems greener on the other side, doesn't it? The habit of comparing your friendships with others can be a silent destroyer of joy. You might find yourself trapped in a loop of envy, focusing on what your relationships lack rather than what they offer. It's like watching someone else's highlight reel and forgetting that your behind-the-scenes moments hold value. Comparisons can lead you to overlook the strengths of your friendships. Instead of appreciating the unique bond you share, you might be dwelling on perceived inadequacies. Embrace the individuality of your relationships; they're not meant to be carbon copies of others. When you let go of comparisons, you allow your friendships to shine in their own right. Everyone carries emotional baggage, but letting it dictate your friendships can be stifling. Past traumas or disappointments may cause you to build walls that even the most determined friend can't breach. These defenses might feel protective, but often lead to loneliness and misunderstanding. It's like trying to swim with weights tied to your ankles. If you want strong friendships, addressing your emotional history is essential. It's not about offloading your past onto others but understanding how it shapes your present. Healing can transform your relationships, providing fertile ground for trust to flourish. Remember, it's not your baggage that defines you but how you choose to carry it. Independence is often lauded as a virtue, but too much of it can isolate you from potential friends. You might view reliance on others as weakness, preferring solitude over shared experiences. This mindset can lead to a life devoid of the richness that comes from community. Like a brilliant solo performance missing the harmony of a symphony. Embrace the idea that interdependence doesn't diminish your strength; it enhances it. Allowing others in doesn't mean you lose yourself, but rather, you gain the support and companionship that humans inherently need. Friendship is not about losing independence but enriching it with shared laughter, tears, and memories. Sometimes, strength is found in leaning on others. Old friendships can be comforting, but clinging to them at the expense of new ones can stunt your social growth. You might romanticize the past, holding onto it like a security blanket while ignoring the potential for fresh connections. This nostalgia can blind you to the possibilities of the present. It's like watching a rerun when a new episode offers more. To cultivate strong friendships now, you need to be willing to let go of what no longer serves you. It's not about forgetting old friends, but making room for new dynamics. The past has shaped you, but it doesn't have to define your current social landscape. Open up to the friendships that the present moment has to offer. The myth that true friendships are effortless can lead to neglect and resentment. When conflicts arise or effort is required, you might take it as a sign of a weak bond. This misconception can cause you to abandon relationships prematurely. It's like discarding a plant when it wilts, unaware that with care, it could thrive. Friendships, like anything worthwhile, require work and dedication. Expecting them to be easy undermines their complexity and depth. Embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth and deeper connection. When you invest time and energy, you nurture a friendship that can withstand the test of time. While common interests can spark a friendship, exclusively seeking out those who are just like you can be limiting. This tendency might lead you towards relationships that lack depth and excitement. You end up in a comfort zone that's, frankly, too comfortable. It's like reading only one genre of books and missing out on the richness of literary diversity. Diversifying your social circle can lead to more stimulating and enduring friendships. It challenges you to grow, learn, and adapt in ways you might not have considered. Embrace the differences that others bring into your life, and you'll find that they add unexpected richness and resilience to your bonds. After all, variety is the spice of life. When things go wrong, your instinct might be to internalize rather than vocalize. The fear of burdening others with your problems can lead you to suffer in silence. This stoicism can create an emotional chasm between you and potential friends. It's like having a treasure chest locked tight, with no one to share its contents. Opening up about your struggles can be a powerful bonding experience. Friends are there to comfort and support, not judge or belittle you. Sharing your burdens doesn't make you weaker; it fortifies the connections you're building. Let those around you see the real you, and you'll discover the strength in shared vulnerability. In a world of instant gratification, patience can feel like a lost art. You might give up on friendships too soon, expecting immediate returns and fireworks. This impatience can prevent you from experiencing the gradual, steady growth that defines true friendship. It's like planting a seed and digging it up the next day to see if it's sprouted. Strong friendships take time to develop and blossom. They require patience and the willingness to see past initial awkwardness and uncertainty. Allow your connections to unfold naturally, resisting the urge to rush the process. You'll find that the slow burn of a lasting friendship is infinitely more rewarding than a fleeting spark.
Forbes
15-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
Your Inner Critic: 5 Steps To Take When It Gets Loud And Debilitating
Everyone has an inner critic, and when it pops up, it feels like it's us, but it isn't. There are ... More some tried-and-true steps you can take when that harsh voice paralyzes and debilitates you. Do you hear voices in your head? Of course, you do. It's one of hundreds of things that separates humans from robots. If you're like most people, you have a relentless voice that lives in your head and rarely rests. Your inner critic puts you under the microscope, bludgeons you with criticism and tells you how worthless, selfish or inept you are. That kick-butt voice pops up like burnt toast with such lightning speed you probably don't even notice—eviscerating you with name-calling, discouragement and putdowns. Chances are the voice says you can't, you should, ought to, have to or must. (Psychologists call it "musturbation'). The critic knows where to find you, no matter where you go. And it does when you're in a team meeting, working on a project or before a performance evaluation. It stalks you to your desk and whispers in your ear. It could be scolding you right now. Listen closely. Do you hear it: 'No, that's not right! You don't know what you're doing! You're an imposter. You might as well give up! Who do you think you are?" Burnt toast anyone? Some experts call the harsh voice your 'lowercase self' and YOU the 'uppercase Self" with a capital 'S'—the one who hears the lowercase self. When the critic pops up, the first step is to remember that the harsh voice isn't you, and you don't have to live up to its demands. Then, take a breath, step back and let the uppercase YOU practice these five strategies so you can prevent the critic from sidetracking you and stay in your central command center: 1. Take the perspective of a detached observer. Imagine you're an observer of your inner critic and watch it from a distance like you would a blemish on your hand, listening to it with a curious, dispassionate ear as a part of you. Imagine someone scolding you over your cell phone, and you hold the phone away from your ear. In the same way, you can hold the critic's message at arm's length and listen to it from afar as a separate part from you, not all of you. A dispassionate ear gives you distance from the critic's voice and keeps you from identifying with it or attacking yourself. 2. Get curious instead of judgmental. Don't let your inner critic run roughshod over you. But by all means, avoid battling it. It's futile to fight, debate, argue, silence or steamroll over the harsh voice. It always has a comeback and always wins, plus you can't get rid of it. Getting curious, instead of judgmental, can create clarity and calm. When you let the critical voice come and go without fighting or personalizing it, it keeps you from believing the voice's made-up story. If you oppose or try to reason with it, you give it credence and, instead of streaming on through, it takes up residence. 3. Give your inner critic a name. Neuropsychotherapist, Britt Frank, author of Align Your Mind, told me that naming your inner voice with something like 'my Inner Perfectionist' or 'my Taskmaster' helps you take charge of it, instead of the voice taking charge of you. When I interviewed Arianna Huffington, CEO of Thrive Global, she told me she calls her critic, 'The Obnoxious Roommate' and Erin Brochovich told me in an interview that she calls her inner critic, 'Negative Nancy.' The value in giving your critic a name is that it concretizes something you cannot see, making it more tangible and allowing you to communicate with it as a separate part of you. 4. Talk to your inner critic as if it's a person. Frank suggests that when you hear a voice calling you an imposter or criticizing you, say to that voice, 'I hear you. I've got this. I'll take it from here' or say, 'Thank you, not shut up.' Even the harshest voice is trying to help, she explains. It's counterintuitive, but Frank points out that internal gratitude for the critic lowers the threat level. Dr. Ethan Kross, psychologist at the University of Michigan, breaks down the science of self-talk even further. His research shows that calling yourself by your name during silent conversations gives you psychological distance from the critic's egocentric 'I' perspective, disables stress before and after a challenging situation and allows a more objective story to emerge. 5. Practice self-compassion. Studies show when you come down hard on yourself after a misstep, rejection or a harsh review, it's like attacking the fire department when your house is on fire. It reduces your motivation and dilutes your chances of success. It's just as easy to affirm yourself with positive messages as it is to tear yourself down with negative ones. We all become proficient at what we practice on a regular basis. If you're stuck with a project or overloaded with work stress, try replacing the critical voice (from the lower-case self) with self-compassion (from the uppercase Self) each step of the way. Experts say self-compassion is a powerful resilient tool that stands up to harm. So put down your gavel and amp up your kinder, compassionate side. Positive affirmations function as 'cognitive expanders,' providing you a wider perspective to diffuse the inner critic's tunnel vision and transcend its negativity. Let your uppercase Self talk you off the ledge when your critical lower-case-self encourages you to jump. The writer Patrick Califia once said, "When it comes to your inner critic, my advice is to not take advice from someone who doesn't like you. That's like returning to the perpetrator for healing after you've been abused.' Painter Vincent Van Gogh echoed that sentiment, with 'If you hear a voice within you say, 'You cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.' I'm no Van Gogh, but one thing I do know is when your inner critic calls you an imposter, you can harness it into a career asset. I say, when you hear the voice say you can't do something, then by all means stick your neck out and do it anyway. That voice will be silenced, and you will be surprised at how, in trying to keep you safe, it has held you back as you accomplish what you didn't think you could achieve.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
My perfect affair: For six glorious years, I've followed these five rules for not getting caught. My partner and his wife still have no idea...
Before you judge me, just know this: it was never my intention to become the other woman. I was simply young and having fun when my life took a turn I was never expecting.
