There are so many unclear messages about the pandemic of 2020. How did it start? How did it spread? Why are we still fighting it today? There is so much fake news and social media edited news. There are verbal battles people are fighting on their social media walls. I do research, sometimes. Other times I like to read.
A few weeks back I picked up “Apollo’s Arrow”, written by Nicholas A. Christakis. A man who has written several interesting books and whose bio on the Wikipedia page states that he is “a sociologist and physician know of his health research” and other important topics. His book “Apollo’s Arrow” was just recently published in October of (whew, now LAST year) 2020 talks about the unclear future we are facing as the pandemic not only takes hold of the planet but also how much it will change everything we do. He describes well the first of the big shutdowns in China from December 2019 to January 2020. Yes, he does mention the wet market and freshly butchered wildlife and how maybe it was the cause of this fancy new virus. In his book, he tells stories of a human that managed to survive no only the Spanish Flu of 1918 but also made it through the 2020s. He describes other pandemics that we might have forgotten while solely focusing on the narrowly focused new of today with the lens pointing directly to North America. Christakis teaches us new words like ‘anosmia’, a common word we’ve been using in 2020 and still fear today. He talks about other viruses that were far more deadly making Covid 19 an easier virus to share with your friends and family without killing them. He also reminds us of how easy and important it is to follow simple actionable advice to slow down the spread that overwhelms our healthcare systems. “Apollo’s Arrow” reminds us that we should also look at how things were done previously and why slowing the spread works. How about them NCIs? Hello, Non-pharmaceutical interventions! The best part of the book for me is that it examines the economic, social, and global effects of the pandemic, some of which we forget to think about while living in our personalized fear bubbles. Maybe it’s time we learn something about the selfless dynamics that operate this planet while seeing the impact on a large scale. After all, the Earth did stand more still in 2020 and there are records to show it. Take a moment in the stillness of this chaotic world while reading a book full of interesting facts and things to think about more deeply.
Here's the link to where I got the book from during the world wide pandemic and I must say that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Because that's that small print you need to include for sharing the online gold.
Click the book to get the link. Or look for it in your local independent book store. * side note: I buy a lot of independent book store books by liking the cover.  
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 Since 2020 is finally wrapping up. I am doing my Best of 2020 products review, which I have personally used almost every day during the pandemic. These products have made it through tears, masks, lonely distant walks, weird work schedules, and through on-line shopping. The best part is all of these are available to you and will be delivered by magical Amazon fairies. I am not one of them, but I did include links to their respective pages on Amazon for your ease and I must say that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I have purchased all of these myself for myself and absolutely love every single one of these – so I figured I share! Best find for me was the HYDROPEPTIDE MOISTURE RESET. “This deeply nourishing facial oil includes simple ingredients like avocado and lavender oil to deeply hydrate and enrich skin with vital nutrients while improving the skin’s natural lipid barrier. Rice bran extract will gently soothe your skin while flower extracts provide antioxidant protection and work to soften texture”. My face feels amazing after this product. Price point is 120$ USD and is available on Amazon.com. The reviews for this facial oil are great and if you are entering your much later youthful years – the anti-aging and anti-wrinkle built in supports are there for you.
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 LOVE. When I was making the black drink prop for this photoshoot... I was in tears. I was tired of comparisons, I was tired of how I was treated at work, I was tired of not being with people I love. The prop was poison. Just like in fairytales - sometimes even the good ones don’t wake up. The creative take was that we all drink in the poison of social media, fake news, narcissism, and eventually it will destroy us. That day I felt it. I wanted to express it so badly. I wanted others to see that no matter how successful we are - we still fall under poisonous scrutiny of everyone. “It’s like you are drinking the poison” But then I started my creative process. I made the perfectly coloured drink. I fixed my makeup, had to... after crying in the car on the way home, I set up my iPhone, and my timer. As I held the glass, that I imaged as being full of poison, I felt the sun, the air, the rug, the Inner me. My soul quivered at the idea that people that don’t even know me can crush me. They can’t. I know what love is. I know what kindness is. I experienced the magic of it all. I know what it is like to create life and to experience death. I know what positive thoughts and inspiration can do to someone’s everything. I know what it’s like to hold your hand and say so much without saying nothing. It’s magic. 🖤 ✨Positivity is magic. ✨It’s magnetic. Don’t drink the poison. Find those that will feed you magic instead. That will refresh your creativity, will make you feel loved, will support you.
Play up your wild side: In pursuit of inspiration. For the longest time I’ve been trying to decide what text to put under this super silly picture of myself. I took it when I was feeling joy, when in my cheetah dots I felt exhilarated at all the possibilities of life, at opportunities. I felt it but didn’t know what to write about. There is so much to share and at the same time there is often doubt... Would anyone be interested in reading what I have to say? Would people like what I have to offer? I know I am not the only mom out there who at some point has lost herself to a 9 to 5 job, to her kids and mom guilt that hangs over us thanks to all the beautiful pictures people post on the internet, to her paycheque to paycheque survival (thanks, daycare fees), to anxiety, to the lack of interesting and truly inspiring connections. Ask for what you want and you may just get it. Lucky for me I had someone pop into my life and teach me that there is always more and that change is inevitable but also beautiful. It is time to pay it forward. It is time to take all that knowledge, adopt it, and become the change I want to see in people. Last weekend I went out for the Brunchin’ Bossmoms event. The food was yummy. The guest speaker inspiring. The group of ladies who shared the room, just far enough to be safe from the virus’s touch, yet close enough to really get into each other’s powerful auras, were open and kind. What is it about women coming together to support each other in one room? What is it that makes us forget that out there in the “real world” we are constantly competing against each other but the second you put us together in one room we instantly become a community, a family, Amazons. We share stories and ideas, failures, struggles, and most of all we share hope and endless inspiration. Inspiration to start a business, to improve our diets, to not be afraid of something new, to take the next step, to sit down and write. I called it “cheap and delicious” group therapy. I can’t wait to be on par with some of those women to be able to sit down and share my authentic story, my business successes, my new book, blog, art piece, my next grand idea. Lesson I've learned that weekend was that I, no matter what stage of life, or knowledge, or creativity I am at, have and will have something to share with the world. "Play up your wild side because tomorrow you might not get tomorrow's chances". Some days in order to start something I need to push myself to show up for myself. Obviously, it is easier to show up when you feel like a wild animal ready to pounce. Exhilarating. Plus, cheetah prints are back in style and a red lip is always an easy confidence booster. I am so glad that women in this group had so many different topics to share. Of course the guest speaker, Carlee from Styled to Sparkle, had the floor and she floored us with sharing her successes of being a full time local blogger. I wish to have people like you as my mentors but even your blog posts have lots to offer already. Vivian Rajic is the founder of Real Biz Moms and she is doing an amazing job creating a supportive community for business moms (or moms like me who need to learn a thing or two and create some new connections). It’s local. It’s real. It’s for all of us. Most importantly it’s genuine and the lessons that come from all of it are absolutely priceless. Clearly, I've learned last weekend that I too can contribute to both my personal growth and those around me. All I need to do is to start. Sit down and write. Xoxo, Daria  This can be one of those engagement posts! ⠀ What colour is the dress? Is it pink or is it orange? Depends on the light! ✨⠀ Actually, it depends on the filter! Do you ever ask yourself if what you see is true? How do you create engaging content? ⠀ Here are some tips from postplanner.com⠀ ⠀ •Ask a Question. But be direct. ⠀ •Keep it short. •Give a clear Call-To-Action. •Offer some valuable information. •Give them a link. •Be Positive. •Post an Image ⠀ Are you a newbie Facebook Group Admin? Are you new to the Instagram? Are you new to the social media lingo? Are you starting out in direct sales and need help with creating content? Learn with me, I am a newbie too! ⠀ ⠀ Photo details: Dress from @Winners by #VinceCamuto / Lipstick from @Maybelline / Purse from @Indigo Love and Lore collection / Shoes are from @Winners / Jewels are from a private collection /Leather Jacket from @H&M / Drinks are #OriginalCeasar from @theKeg at the @Westin Calgary Downtown / Smiles are from the #friendslikenoother ⠀ ⠀ #datenight #engagementposts #Facebookgroups #Directsales #youniquepresenter #dressesandshous #dressup #datenight #cleansupnicely #anklet #fashionista #ootd #motd #yycdatenight #dressupfordinner #bathroomselfie #confidence100 #ladiesthatdine #yycover30 #behappy #lovebeautytech #infopost #newbie  Just go with it even if it is a school night.⠀
⠀ Yesterday I created a little sign that I literally dreamed up. The beauty of it is in its simplicity. “I AM NOT” and once you cross out the NOT part - absolutely everything changes. Yesterday, I was not going to be productive because I felt down about relationships with my friends, about the treatment I received months before from my managers, about broken hearts, about the world suicide prevention day.⠀ ⠀ I created my little note and really focused on what I could be and what I could do… I ended up having a productive workday and a productive afternoon (building-a- shed- for- a- bit work/workout). Then I was getting hot and tired and bogged down by how many things in my life needed to get fixed so I almost cancelled my evening plans… but I did not because I had a kid-free husband-free time booked for me and my things. That time is important for refilling my cup, for refueling my passion for life.⠀ ⠀ I went out with a group of some wonderful friends. I saw the most amazing sunset. I had time to get a little bit lost in a neighborhood that I have passed by so many times. I tried new flavors and saw new people. I supported a local business or three! I discussed art, and poetry, and puppies, and plants, and the contents of my carry-all purse.⠀ ⠀ I almost decided to cut the night short because it was a “school night” and I knew that 5 am would come so fast and that my radio would soon turn to some heart-break song for me to start my workday. I almost quit… to go wonder down an old neighborhood to search for wherever I left my truck in the ‘one hour’ zone while being gone for much longer. But then someone said they will stay for tacos and tequila. How can you not stay for tacos and tequila on such a beautiful summer night? How can you not let that truck sit for a few more minutes if you already got a parking ticket (I didn’t)? How can you not want to sit on a patio and watch the world slowly come back to normality? How can you not want to watch happy people have happy meetings? How can you not enjoy the sun and the warm evening temperatures after we’ve already had the first snow? How can you not want to throw on a coat of bright red lipstick and wrap yourself in a soft shawl, surround yourself with great friends, and laugh at the things you'd do for the 'gram'? Because I chose to say "I AM" instead of "I AM NOT" I grew a little bit personally, I've shared and I've listened, I've accepted and I've met, I've talked, ate, and looked, and touched, and felt, and experienced. At the end of the day, I felt complete.  Positive thoughts on this World Suicide Prevention Day. You can re-write your story. Ask for help. Say “I am” instead of “I am not”. You are worthy, you are important. You are needed. You are wanted. You are unique. You are your story - write it better. You are in control and with help from whatever works, medicine?therapy?meditation?exercise?peer support? a combination of all together? You are. Say “I Am, instead if I am Not”. Ask for help. Others will listen but they can’t know what you are thinking.
#selflove #mentalhealth #suicidepreventionmonth #iamenough #suicideawarness #mentalhealthawareness #affirmationsoftheday #astrology #positivequotes #bekindtoyourself #anxietyawareness #positivity #worldsuicidepreventionday #positivemindset #positiveaffirmations #staypositive #dailyaffirmations #depressionhelp #instadaily #anxietysupport #positivevibesonly #inspirationalquotes #september #depressionawareness #selfcare The year was 2020 and the concept of Influencers was still popping up all over social media. If I don’t want to be an influencer, do I still need to have or be a BRAND? What does that mean for the regular folk? Is it, in fact, just an audio-visual resume? It is becoming more common and re-posting of memes and making snarky comments on Facebook is no longer cutting it. ⠀ ⠀ I have taken a course (on this in the future post) called Instagram 101 from a local Influencer just to see what it is like to work the Instagram, to better understand what it is all about, and I came out with some great new tidbits of info. During the class, I asked this question: “what if I do not have a business… how do I create a brand which might eventually become one?”. ⠀ ⠀ According to Goldie Chan, who writes for Forbes.com, having a brand is the difference between “Who are you?” and “Thank you for being here” in your career (perhaps, even life) and I am looking forward to exploring this concept.⠀ ⠀ ✨Is the personal brand as important as the resume? ⠀ ⠀ ✨Is it skin and bones behind future successes on social media?   Click here to get your free Complete Guide to Building Your Personal Brand! Just kidding; I am not there yet. Are you? Every time I google anything about a personal brand this is the first message that comes up. At which point in your social media ‘career’ do you need to focus on completing such a guide? Should this be a new built-in feature of @Instagram? By the end of this 12 Post mini-series, I will have my brand guide. Most likely I will have an easy to check off guideline. Have you ever tried one of these guides? What would you recommend? Comment with your most useful info. Help me out with this conversation. Until the next post, where I want to talk about CLAIMING YOUR NAME on social media, think about 3 things that your brand would consist of. Use the branding words included in the next slide for this exercise.  Step One: Claiming Your NameThis is where the hard work begins because right from the start you need to lock in your own identity in the form of a name. You need to be searchable on the Internet. You are the maker of your dreams - make sure to get it right so your dreams know whom to follow. The problem with claiming your name is sitting down and working through your insecurities, owning who you are or at least who you want to be, and making sure that the name you choose will become your self-curated social media identity. Are you ready? Just remember, there is only one YOU and you are unique! *Pick the name *Do your research to make sure that it is not being used *Buy the domain (in case your business blooms) *Have fun with it *Always dream big and plan for the future I mean look at my account, I created this name 10 years ago while writing a blog about living life during a recession. I still use it today @daysinnightsout because it supports my identity even though the circumstances have changed. 2020? Or have they?  Figuring out who you are.This is one of the reasons why I wanted to explore social media as a way of building up my new identity. For those that are too young, for those that just spent years focusing on their babies, for those that just never bothered and now all of a sudden want to connect with new people, for those that started selling products on-line but don’t know where to start, for those older adults that have been stuck at home and realized that there is a whole tech-y world out here... There are so many of us that just don’t know where to start! It’s hard to figure out who you are on-line because first you need to figure out who you are. @_happyasamother does a great job in asking the right questions in her post. Check it out on the next slide. Just remember that all your little quirks are your best accessories. Your life stories is what people want to learn about. You are who people want to follow.  Step Two: create content with purpose |
