Anxiety Attack? Try a Rubber Band
Anxiety attacks are different for everyone. Some get them during the day, some at night, and some both. If attacks are frequent, learn their pattern. That allows someone to know when they are having one. Symptoms range from a fast-beating heart, crying, trouble breathing, and more.
One of the best methods to calm down during an attack is to practice breathing exercises. Fill the head with positive thoughts to fight the negative ones, drink a cup of water or milk, and try yoga. Attacks last between ten and thirty minutes.
Now, what is the difference between an anxiety and a panic attack? Panic attacks are usually sudden and more intense than an anxiety attack. Anxiety builds over time, which eventually leads to an attack. If one cannot calm themselves during one, another method involves flicking a rubber band against the wrist. It resets the nerves and adrenalin and is useful in even the worst of anxiety.
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The Hidden Hand
Rejection in life is unique but also not unusual. For example, securing a well-paying job is difficult in the 21st century. As one person said, with every 100 job applications, expect only ten interviews and one offer. That said, it can take anywhere from six months to one year to find a job, and even when one does, it likely won’t be the career of choice for another couple of years. The most important thing is to keep trying. There is a Hidden Hand that watches over everyone, as well as a secret door that leads to the Secret Garden. While rejection is disappointing, it will eventually pay off in the end. The same applies to a writer who dreams of publishing.
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Judging in a Writing Contest
Judging in writing contests is a practice for aspiring writers because it introduces them to various writing styles and books and helps them foresee common mistakes. It also allows them to realize the writing world is enormous and highly competitive. Common errors with aspiring writers include show, don’t tell, world-building, character development, and more.
When judging, an educational source is Freytag’s Pyramid, which shows how books are structured: exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. In terms of world-building—it’s important in Fantasy and Sci-Fi books, but all stories need a little world-building. One of the best ways to accomplish that is to consider the five senses. Take the main character and write what they see, smell, hear, feel, and taste. It’ll also help with character development. Mostly, everyone wants a character who has flaws. A “perfect” character is known as a Mary Sue.
One of the most remarkable parts of storytelling is going on the journey with the protagonist. A solid method to start building well-rounded characters is a character interview. Sit down with the character and ask them questions like: What is your favorite food? What is your greatest strength? Your greatest weakness? And so on. Another source for inspiration with storytelling judges passed down to participants is studying reality and art.
Remember, the best way to grow as a writer is to keep practicing.
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The End of the World | Mass Extinctions in Geologic Time
Throughout geological history, there have been hundreds of mass extinctions. While deadly, extinctions allow the Earth to change and the animals a chance to evolve, continuing geological history. Three historical mass extinctions are the K-T Mass Extinction, the Siberian Eruptions, and the Ordovician Extinction. The K-T Mass Extinction occurred 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous Period of the Mesozoic Era, the Siberian Eruptions happened during the Permian Period of the Paleozoic Era, and the Ordovician Extinction occurred at the end of the Paleozoic’s Ordovician Period. The Ordovician Extinction came first, the Siberian Eruptions second, and the K-T Mass Extinction third.
During the Ordovician Period, the ozone layer was still forming, so all life lived in the oceans. The surface was bare, with no trees and grass, and a sudden ice age wiped out 85% of underwater life. However, 15% of life survived. From this 15%, the ozone layer finished forming, and insects evolved. Those who survived the Ordovician Extinction also evolved into tetrapods, the first fish to walk on land in the Devonian Period (Sam Noble Museum).
The next mass extinction to account for is the Siberian Eruptions, which occurred 252 million years ago. 95% of life went extinct due to sudden heating in Earth’s crust that caused the ground to heat up, incinerating plant and animal life. The small group that survived, reptiles included, eventually evolved into early dinosaurs, who first appeared 237 million years ago.
Finally, the most well-known mass extinction is the K-T Mass Extinction, the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. An asteroid the size of Mt. Everest crashed into the Yucatan Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico, creating a worldwide catastrophe. Tsunamis, meteor showers, and an ejecta cloud destroyed 90% of life, including the dinosaurs.
Unlike the Siberian Eruptions, the K-T Mass Extinction happened quickly, while the Eruptions were over time. The most notable animals to survive the K-T Mass Extinction were birds and small mammals, who took refuge underground. With the dinosaurs gone, it allowed them to evolve into the modern animals on Earth today.
The lesson at the end of the day is that as one species dies, another thrives. That is the beauty of geologic time.
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“Grief comes in waves.”
Everyone loses loved ones. After all, no one is invincible. Life isn’t a fairytale. Sometimes, the best way to learn that is through tough love.
Deaths can be expected or unexpected, and numerous events cause them. The number one cause of death in the United States is heart disease, cancer is second, COVID-19 is third, and unintentional deaths are fourth (Injury Facts).
Grief affects people differently, but the most important thing to remember is that it comes in waves. Once it hits, climb aboard a surfboard and ride it over the crest to calm waters. While it may hurt, understand that it won’t last forever.
One of the best ways to fight grief is to write about it, either through letters to the deceased, a story, or something else. Also, doing what one’s loved one did creates bittersweet memories.
Death is unique because no one knows when it will happen. Loved ones stay near their family and friends, even from the afterlife, with some visiting via dreams or animals. Whether one believes it or not, there is a spiritual connection with death and love. After all, grief is merely undeniable love, and most people don’t realize how much they love their family and friends until after they’re gone.
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Words of the Week
- Saboteur (noun): someone who commits sabotage
- Pneumatic (adjective): relating to air, gases, or wind
- Repository (noun): a place where things are stored and deposited
- Palimpsest (noun): a parchment where writing has been erased for something new
- Pannikin (noun): a small pan or metal cup
- Saccharine (adjective): excessively sweet
ns 172.70.130.162da2
and then Add to home screen.