My daughter-in-law sent me a Newfoundland classic for supper today: cod and potatoes with drawn butter. It made me think of back home, the place where I was born and raised. I live in Alberta now and there is much to love about this place that I now call home. Still, I get reminiscing about the island I still love. I do miss the ocean with its constant changes and moods. These were taken at Port Harmon, the deep port in Bay St. George, and part of the town of Stephenville on the island’s west coast.

When we first start a new endeavor, our ultimate success or failure is often even odds. Tipping the scales in our favor comes from putting our best effort towards our goal.  A dogged determination helps us through setbacks and challenges, and an optimistic attitude keeps our spirits lifted.

If we are fortunate, help arrives when we flounder, and mentors who have traveled a similar pathway, offer guidance allowing us insight with the journey along our chosen path. Setting and striving for a goal, giving it our lazar focus, our finest effort is noble. By doing the best we can, we become a better, more confident, and we never need to wonder “what if.”  In life, daily work improves us and defines success. Look around and admire the fruits of your labor.

How can you do your best today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Self-discovery is fundamental to personal development. To become the best version of yourself, you first need to know who you are, and be aware of your true potential, needs, values, character, and motives. Self-discovery leads to self-knowledge and requires ongoing self-reflection and self-awareness.

Self- reflection

Self-reflection is the key to personal development. Self-reflection is like a “mirror” that reflects your inner self. Emmanuel Kant once said in the Critique of pure reason, “The exterior, that which surrounds us, is in fact the reflection of our inner self.” So, if you can think and understand your inner world, you will better understand your exterior world, and know how to respond to different situations and circumstances. Self-reflection is about taking time to reflect on your experiences, personality, beliefs, values, actions, and behavior to become self-aware and grow into a better person.

To develop good self-reflection, we need to understand our…

On the self love journey, a lot of emphasis is put on knowing who are your People? , who has your back and who is faking it. Moreover, we have all heard or read: “Identify toxic people, relationships in your life and cut them off, your well being depends on that.” However, have you ever thought about what if you realize that you are the toxic person in the relationship? What do you do then? It can be in friendship, family, love life or situationship, what if you are the toxic person? It is not always someone else’s fault sometimes it’s your own.

How do you know when you are becoming the toxic person and what to do once you realize you are one

How do you know you are the toxic person?

Psychology experts argued that you know you are being the toxic person in a relationship when

All relationships are unique and beautiful when real and pure love is in the air. Because February is all about celebrating love, it is important to know how to practice and maintain healthy relationships.

How to practice and maintain healthy relationship

Your relationship is what you give in

Relationship is more about what you give than what you get. If you wanna feel supported, be supportive of your friend, family member, spouse or children. If you wanna feel appreciated, appreciate more. if you wanna be accepted for who you are, accept others for who they are. However, don’t do it as a manipulation tactic to get what you want, be genuine and stay true to yourself. When relationship each partner is giving more of everything, those partners elevate each others higher and have a strong bond.

Your relationship requires self love and communication

Practice self love and self care, the…

The popular book by Gary Chapman was written in 1995 but it is till relevant today when we talk about relationships. You have probably read How to practice and maintain healthy relationships, this is the second part of that post. If you haven’t read please click on the highlighted title to read.

A love language is how you receive love. According to Chapman, there are five love languages and everyone fall into one of those love languages. However, there are possibility that your love language is the mixture of two or three of the love languages listed below.

The five love languages by Chapman

1. Words of affirmation: for the person who fall into this category, words mean a lot. Even the shortest and simplest phrases can be more effective

2. Acts of service: for this person actions speaks louder than words

3. Receiving gifts: those persons are not…

Beijing is a great destination to visit during the wintertime! While it is does get cold in northern China where Beijing is located, the cold weather should’t deter you from having a great trip. There are lots of great festivals to attend and fun activities to do in winter months, as well as the traditional Beijing attractions to see like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.

If you’re planning to travel to Beijing during wintertime around November-February,  here are some of the best tips to know before you travel.

What To Bring To Beijing in Winter

Beijing can gets very cold in the winter, with temperatures ranging from 20-30 F and dropping to the 10s on especially cold days. It’ll feel even colder if you’re outside all day or hiking the Great Wall. You’ll definitely want to bring:

• Gloves
• Hat
• Scarf
• Multiple layers
• Thick outdoor coat
• Fleece lined leggings…