Category: Self Improvement

When Veterans Day rolls around each year, do you tend to think about all the men who have served our country?

That’s not uncommon. 

With movies like Band of Brothers, it’s easy to forget that each girl in the military has made a difference too. And this might make it difficult for women to consider a career in the military. But that’s a mistake.

Do You Want to Be a Girl in the Military?

Then do it! 

If you need a little more inspiration, we’ve put together this small list of seven women veterans to get you started. 

1. Deborah Sampson 

During the Revolutionary War, women were not permitted to enlist and serve. But that didn’t stop Sampson. 

Disguised as a man, she enlisted in 1778 using the alias Robert Shirtliffe. She served for three years until she developed an illness in 1781. Because the illness left her with brain fever, she needed to be treated.

The physician treating her discovered her secret but didn’t out her. Instead, she was given a private discharge and enough money to return home.

To this day, Sampson is one of a small number of women with military combat experience in the Revolutionary War.

2. Cathay Williams

Williams was the first African American woman to enlist. And because things hadn’t progressed much for women by the Civil War, Williams was also disguised as a man.

Born to an enslaved mother and a free father in Independence, Missouri in 1844, Williams worked as a house slave in Jefferson City, Missouri.

At the age of 17, dressed as a man, she enlisted under the false name William Cathay. Shortly after her enlistment though, she contracted smallpox and was hospitalized. 

After that, she was frequently hospitalized and eventually the post surgeon discovered she was a woman and informed the post commander.

She was honorably discharged. But that didn’t stop her. She signed up with the all-black regiment that would eventually become part of the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.

3. Elsie S. Ott

By WWII, women no longer had to hide their gender to enlist.

Though still not permitted in active combat, they played important roles behind the scenes. This was the case with Ott.

In 1941, Ott signed up for the Army Nurse Corps and was given commission as 2nd Lieutenant. During this time, wounded personnel had to be cared for on site. And this was becoming increasingly problematic. 

With improved aeronautics, the army decided to try evacuating the wounded by plane. Ott was the first nurse to prepare for an evacuation of the injured. She was given just 24 hours notice to supply and prepare the plane for her passengers.

But she did a stellar job and her efforts contributed to the advancement of military medical care. Two months later, she became the first woman to receive the U.S. Air Medal. And nothing makes you feel more confident that having a medal. You can learn more about that here. 

4. Grace Murray Hopper

In 1943, Hopper joined the United States Naval Reserves and was assigned to the Bureau of Ordinance Computation Project. She became the third programmer of the Mark I – the world’s first large-scale computer.

She soon went on to master the Mark II, Mark III and the UNIVAC I. Her work with these now ancient computers allowed her to create a program that translated symbolic math codes into machine language. 

In 1966, Hopper retired from the Naval Reserves, but returned a year later to help standardize the Navy’s computer programs and languages. She was promoted to Captain in 1973 and was appointed special advisor to Commander in 1977.  

At the age of 76, she was promoted to Commodore in 1983 and eventually achieved the rank of rear admiral – one of the few women to do so. 

The military’s Cray XE6 “Hopper” supercomputer is named after her. 

5. Tammy Duckworth 

Senator Duckworth served 23 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, where she trained as a helicopter pilot. But she was no “weekend warrior.” 

In 2004, while working on her doctorate, she was called to active duty. She was sent to Iraq to fly helicopters that same year. When her helicopter was shot down by a grenade, Duckworth sacrificed both of her legs in the accident. A 13-hour surgery saved her right arm, but she has only partial use of it.

As a result of her bravery, she was awarded the Purple Heart in 2004. 

During all of this, she managed to balance work and family too. She continues to fly as a civilian pilot and has even completed several marathons. And she completed that doctorate as well. 

6. Eileen Collins

Like Hopper and Duckworth, Collins took to the sky. WAY up to the sky.

Collins joined the Air Force in 1979, where she served as a flight instructor, aircraft commander and instructor pilot for nine years. From 1986-1989 she served as an assistant professor of mathematics at the Air Force Academy and graduated from the Air Force Test Pilot School in 1990.

While at the Test Pilot School, NASA selected Collins for the astronaut program. Forever on the fast track to success, she became an astronaut in 1991. By 1995, she was the first woman to pilot a space shuttle. And in 1999, she earned the distinction as the first woman shuttle commander. 

7. Bea Arthur

Arthur of The Golden Girls fame once served in the Marine Corps, where she drove military trucks. In fact, she was one of the first members of the Women’s Reserve.

In early 1943, Arthur enlisted under her original name, Bernice Frankel. She was just 21 and, by many accounts, a handful. Marine records noted her as being argumentative and overly aggressive.

Even so, her particular brand of moxie had her promoted from corporal to sergeant to staff sergeant in the course of two years. She was honorably discharged in September or 1945 and headed to the stage. 

She would eventually become a Hollywood icon for strong, outspoken women – which was no easy feat in the 1970s.  

Is Military Life Right for You?

If you feel that in your heart you could be a girl in the military, the best way to find out is to give it a try. 

You may just make a future list of amazing women veterans.

In the meantime, keep checking back with our family life blog to inspire you to “be the best that you can be” at home.

In a world that sometimes seems ridden with fear, chaos, and turmoil, it can be hard to stay positive and uplifted.

There’s no doubt that it’s hard (really hard) to be a mother, but it’s one of the most important, rewarding jobs a person can have.

Navigating your own faith can be challenging with all the hectic demands that come with parenting, but we are here to help you!

Let’s get into how to find and restore fearless faith as a mom.

Release the Perfectionism

Most mothers agree that they experience the internal and external pressure to somehow be superhuman.

With that said, the perfect mother does not exist. It never has and it never will. And, that’s okay!

Having fearless faith means accepting that things will not always go according to plan. You will not always have control of the outcome. You will face hardships and obstacles through the ebbs and flows of life.

If you stay too focused on perfectionism, you miss the tiny, imperfect miracles that happen on a regular basis. You miss the chance to stay connected with your faith and spirituality.

Practice staying patient and accepting- even when life doesn’t turn out the way you want it to. Practice finding a silver lining, even in the dark storms.

After all, fearless faith doesn’t just exist when everything is going well. It exists even when everything is falling apart. The happiest, calmest mothers know and live by that philosophy.

Stay Connected with Your Faith

It’s so easy to become disconnected with the principles and practices that keep you calm. But, this is a costly mistake.

Most of us feel stressed on a routine basis. It’s just become a normal part of life, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Did you know that 77% of Americans report experiencing physical symptoms (like headaches or stomach pains) as a result of stress? That’s almost 8 in 10 people, and it doesn’t have to be that way!

Not only is all this rushing and insane scheduling wreaking havoc on our mental health, it can also have detrimental consequences on our physical well-being.

Your spiritual health matters, and it matters just as much as eating well, exercising regularly, and practicing positive coping strategies to manage stress.

So, how can you stay connected with your faith?

If you’re an active member of a faith-based community, such as a church or temple, make it a priority to actually go! Just like you would with any other appointment, it shouldn’t just be open for negotiation or “as a last resort.”

You can also build upon your relationships with others who share the same fearless faith. Learn from mentors and take on their wisdom. Open up about your struggles and lean on others for support — that’s what friends are there for and that’s what makes the community of faith so special.

Seek Inspiration on a Routine Basis

It’s important for all of us to experience awe and inspiration. It helps us feel alive and it helps us feel spiritually connected.

When was the last time you felt inspired? If you can’t recall, we have a major problem. Inspiration colors our world.

Think about your children — chances are, they experience this awe and wonder every day. They do it without thinking. They experience it in the fantastic land of make-believe and childlike freedom and innocence.

Unfortunately, as busy adults with jam-packed schedules, we can lose sight of this in the midst of the daily grind. Fearless faith is all about feeling inspired, connected, and hopeful about the past, present, and future.

Make it a priority to set time for inspiration. Whether it’s picking up new Servant books or spending time in nature on a mindful hike, do what you can to stimulate your mind and body.

Inspiration can be found anywhere- if you look hard enough. It also doesn’t just have to be in a formal religious setting. Inspiration exists in the relationships we have with others, the moments we share with our children, and the sensations we experience every single day.

Love Without Limitations

As a mother, you already know that the unconditional love that you have for your children has no bounds. It’s one of the best parts of being a mother, and it’s what makes human connections so powerful and remarkable.

The more you can practice love, patience, and tolerance with the rest of the people in your life, the more fearless faith you will experience.

While it’s normal to feel angry or upset at certain people throughout life, holding onto deeply-set resentments often ends up hurting you more. When we have certain expectations of others, we can risk feeling disappointed when they do not meet them in the way we want.

Instead, practice accepting people as they are- flaws and all. Learn to fall in love with the quirks and nuances. It’s what makes us human, and it’s what ultimately makes us beautiful and unique.

Remember: just like you don’t need to be perfect, nobody else owes you perfection, either. The more you can embrace people for who they are, the happier you will feel.

Final Thoughts on Harnessing the Beauty of Fearless Faith

With faith, all things are possible. With faith, you will feel a sense of peace, calmness, and indescribable joy.

Just remember that faith does not happen “randomly.” You need to take the conscious actions and steps to pump faith into your life and family.

Interested in more helpful lifestyle tips about raising your family? Be sure to check out our blog today!

When you’re looking for work and you make an impression that lasts, it moves you to the top of the list.

What makes it so hard? You only have 7 seconds to get it right.

Making a great first impression is a challenge, but it’s doable. Here are ten reasons you need to make an impression that people respond to–and tips for getting it right.

1. Getting the Job You Want

It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for permanent, freelance, or casual work.

You need to make an impression which makes you unforgettable. This doesn’t mean being quirky or weird just so they remember you!

They want to know they can rely on the person they’re hiring. It’s a bonus if you can also make sure they perceive you as a friendly person too. Smile and greet them with a firm handshake every time.

2. Show You Can Manage Your Time

Don’t be late. If you’re late to an interview, this will negatively affect the opinion of 96% of hiring managers.

If you live in a busy city, that’s no excuse. Turning up late shows you didn’t think about traffic or the risk of a late train.

Turn up 30 minutes early if you can. Grab a coffee and take a walk around the neighborhood to mentally prepare for your interview.

3. Body Language Says It All

Your body language says more than you’d like it to sometimes.

Stand upright and go for a firm handshake. Always meet your interviewers’ gaze and smile.

If you don’t do this, your body language could be misinterpreted as disinterest. Slumped shoulders, fidgeting, or staring around the room could lose you the opportunity to make an impression and land the job.

Always be aware of how you hold yourself. Make sure you’re not inadvertently sending the wrong message.

4. Dress to Impress

For most interviews, you’ll need to dress smart to make an impression. In many circumstances, this means a suit or business attire.

Still, do your research. If you’ve found out that a company has a fairly relaxed atmosphere, you might go with a button-down shirt and smart-casual trousers instead.

Be careful of appearing too casual, though. If you dress down too much, what you’re really saying to the interviewer is, “I don’t care about this job.”

Playing it safe is almost always the best option.

5. Think About What You’re REALLY Saying

Like body language, the words you speak often have more than one meaning. They can also reveal things you didn’t necessarily intend.

Half the battle is knowing what questions you’re really being asked. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you messed up, they don’t really want to hear about the time you missed two deadlines in a row.

They want to hear about what you did to make the situation right. More importantly, they want to know how you prevented yourself from making the same mistake again.

6. Make an Impression So People Trust You

Making a good impression is all about getting people to trust you. The signals we send tell other people about how much they can trust us.

Being trusted is always important, but even more so in certain professions. For example, let’s say you’re interviewing for a Skin MD MD laser skin care position (or another position in the medical profession).

The level of responsibility is much higher than some other professions. It’s crucial you get the other person to trust you during the interview.

7. Positive People Make a Positive Impression

Projecting confidence to make an impression really works.

Be upbeat, positive and friendly. Your CV may make an impression too, but no company hires people on the strength of a resume alone.

It’s important to show your enthusiasm and speak about specific things you’d like to achieve in the role. This shows you’ve given some thought to that particular job and you’re not just rambling off a script.

8. Be Personable But Not Overly Friendly

We’ve talked about being positive, both in terms of spoken language and body language.

But now comes a word of caution about where to draw the line. You’re not best friends with the interviewer. You’ve probably never even met them before.

Don’t be overly friendly or too familiar. This can kill your chances as quickly as seeming disinterested. It comes across as rude and presumptuous.

By all means, have a friendly chat, but be very careful about what you talk about.

9. Remember You’ll Be Working with Your Interviewer

The interview process isn’t just about testing your knowledge.

Even if you’re perfect for the job in terms of your experience and qualification, personality matters. The hiring manager wants to know that there aren’t obvious clashes between you.

Be professional and friendly, and try to connect with them on a human level.

10. Relax

If you’re stressed out and nervous, your body language will give this away.

Remember what we said about body language earlier? Try to relax and bear in mind that at the end of the day, your interviewer is just a person too.

If you can make an impression on them as a person (not just a potential boss), you’ll go a long way.

Still Looking for a New Job?

It can take a while to find the right job. Don’t stress about it.

Sometimes you’re just not the right fit for a company. Try not to take it too personally.

While you’re waiting to make an impression, we know money can get a little tight. Why not browse our selection of printable coupons to save yourself a few dollars?

We’ve also got loads of frugal living tips to help you stretch your cash until you land the perfect job.

Sometimes life seems to get so busy that it’s difficult not to feel really overwhelmed. At that point, it’s hard to fight the impulse to stay in bed and hide until it feels safe again.

While a hectic life may feel scary and unmanageable, there are some things everyone can do to take back control. Here are 10 tips for staying organized even when life pushes back.

1. Outsource

No one can do it all alone. We all need help.

That’s why outsourcing is a great idea. This is especially helpful for home-based projects that no one in the family enjoys.

So hire a cleaning service to come in once a month or even once a week. Have the lawn professionally mowed.

Even if the budget is tight, there are still options. Hire the kid down the street looking to earn a few extra bucks. Or try TaskRabbit.

2. Make a List of Priorities

While there are plenty of tips for staying organized that are helpful, making a list of priorities is extremely beneficial. It’s easy to get caught up in the small, petty things in life and even easier to start believing that they’re important.

At the end of the day, being happy, healthy, and spending quality time with friends and family are really the most important things in life to most people. So when life starts to feel too overwhelming, make a list of what is really important.

Then focus on that list rather than whether or not the bake sale item is homemade or store-bought.

3. Set Healthy Boundaries

These tips for staying organized won’t work without setting healthy boundaries. Once the priorities have been identified, it’s important to set boundaries around them.

If health is a priority for a family, then one way to set a healthy boundary would be to eliminate shopping for food in the aisles because that’s where the processed and packaged foods are sold. Instead, the focus would be on the outer aisles where the fresh fruits and vegetables are sold, along with dairy, fish, and lean meats.

Or if time with family is a priority then a healthy boundary would be to start a game night once a week from 7-8pm on Wednesdays, with no exceptions. These boundaries don’t need to be rigid, but they do need to be adhered to if they’re going to work.

4. All Tips for Staying Organized Should Include Purging

As lives are built, clutter is accumulated. Unfortunately, that clutter starts to overwhelm and complicate life in ways most people can’t imagine.

Clutter causes anxiety and depression. It also leads to poor decision making because often things are not tossed out of guilt, shame, or fear. But it’s not just physical clutter that is causing all the problems.

Spiritual and emotional clutter can also wreak havoc and affect emotional and physical health. So take some time out to go through each item in the house to see if it’s still being used and enjoyed by someone.

If it isn’t, donate, recycle, or toss the item out. It’s amazing how much clarity will arrive once the clutter is gone.

5. Let It Go of Perfection

Many people strive to be perfect.They think that being in control means their life will look and feel better.

But there is no such thing as perfect. The best any of us can hope for is to strive for excellence.

Then it’s time to let it go. Perfection is an unattainable goal. It prevents people from sometimes even getting started.

So let go of the idea of being perfect and be excellent instead.

6. Create Systems

Systems make life so much easier. Just make sure the system is easy for anyone to follow.

Misplacing housekeys is common in many households. One simple system would be to place a bowl or hook near the front door.

Upon arriving at home, simply get into the habit of placing the keys into the bowl or on the hook. It’s a simple way to avoid being late.

7. Label Things

The easier it is to find things, the less time is wasted. So label as many items as possible.

This system works especially well in the kitchen. Label jars and use it in the refrigerator so it’s easy to find items before they spoil.

Filing cabinets are another place where labelling will work wonders. Labeling also works well in bedrooms.

Labeling which items belong in which drawers can save a lot of time when putting clothing away.

8. Put Similar Things Together

It’s tough to find things when they are kept haphazardly around a room. So try to keep similar items together.

That way, when searching for a pen, it will be easy to remember they are kept right next to the pencils. It’s also easier to find items when they are always kept in the same space.

This works especially well for people who wear glasses. If there is a designated spot where they belong and they are always kept there when not being worn, it will always be easy to find them.

9. Keep Things Simple

None of these tips for organizing will work if the system becomes too complicated. So keep life and organizing as simple as possible.

The harder it is to accomplish tasks, the less likely someone is to actually do them. So try to make organizing fun and keep it so easy that a four-year-old can figure it out. Oversized planners are one way to keep life simple and well organized.

10. Pay It Forward

When life gets tough, it’s helpful to do something nice for someone else. Focusing on someone else helps people stop obsessing about themselves and studies show that doing good things for others has tons of benefits for the do-gooders.

Keep Learning

There are so many ways to make life easier and more enjoyable, but that only happens by learning how from other sources.

Whether it’s learning how to start a home-based business or just how to cook healthy food on a budget, we’ve got you covered so keep coming back to learn more.