Slowly easing into the new normal.

Life is slowly going back to normal now that vaccines are being administered to almost every person around the world. The “new normal”, as most call it. We go about our daily routine but with face masks on and doubly cautious of every step we take. We can still get infected with the virus, yes, but with proper care and caution, we can go out of the house like we used to. No, we can’t go to salons and spas yet. Those places are just too risky to go to right now. But we can get the services of a professional for auto body repair Woodbridge so our vehicles are in tip-top shape. We can also go to places of worship, malls, and other places we used to avoid during lockdown, but still with extra caution.

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When the pandemic broke out, we were not prepared. We were jolted out of our existence into a period of our lives we only read about in school textbooks. All of a sudden, we were told to stay inside our homes and to avoid going out unless absolutely necessary. We were told to wear facemasks which we only see being worn by medical personnel. We were told to disinfect, use alcohols or any sanitizer effective on viruses. Tissues, paper towels, and wipes were flying out the shelves because people were anxious to stock up on anything that could fight off the virus. It was a period of chaos and we were afraid.

It is a good thing that humans are made with a built-in resiliency. Majority of us can easily bounce back from any setback. We fall down but get back up to dust our selves off. We are born to withstand whatever life throws our way. Of course, not everyone can bounce back no matter how much they want to. But we give it our best shot, fight until we can.

A woman’s parents tested positive with the virus. The Dad turned out okay but the Mom was hospitalized. She is still in the intensive care unit, fighting for her life. The virus turned out not only to be life-threatening but also a huge money pit. The medical bill is piling up, every person in the family has been contributing hugely just to cope up with all the payables. They are also now raising fund, asking friends and relatives for any amount. It is heartbreaking to see them struggling. I am sure majority of those infected by the virus and hospitalized are experiencing the same scenarios right now.

As we slowly ease into the “new normal” let us remember the lessons this pandemic has taught/still teaching us. Value the people who love you, especially your immediate family. Spend time with those who truly matter. Save! It is always best to have a fund for periods such as these.

We really don’t know what life will bring so we better be prepared, even 75% prepared, to battle it out with whatever comes along.

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An ace up the sleeve.

ace-IT What do we do if we know that competition is stiff? We reveal an ace up our sleeves! To be able to do that, you need to actually have an ace up your sleeve, and by an ace I mean something that will make you outshine your competition.

This is exactly why IT people should learn more about isaca spoto. SPOTO, which stands for Service, Professional, Outstanding, Teamwork and Obtain, is focused on IT certifications like CISCO examinations. You know you are partnering with professionals who are very much adept and knowledgeable in cutting-edge technology and who can help you with those IT certifications you need in your portfolio.

Most people would try to make it on their own. They would review for their isaca cism exam and think that they would make it without the help of professionals. A small push from people who know can give you a much-needed drive and motivation to do much better than you can imagine. You can pass the exams in your first try simply because you have the best help you can get. With SPOTO, you can practice with 100% real exam practice tests in a 100% real exam environment. A 100% passing guarantee is what you get with teams of professional tutors helping you review.

So, when you think of getting a guide to the isaca cism certification, go to SPOTO. Join and get certified in no time! You know that an IT certification will surely give you the edge you need to win over your competition. And an IT certification can be your negotiating tool in getting an increase in your compensation and benefits package in the company you are working for.

These days, if you want to become a better worker, someone valuable to the company you are working for, you need to improve yourself. You need to have a portfolio of your achievements and certifications.

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Setting up parental controls.

computer-internet Kids these days are expert in gadgets and the internet. They already know which is which and whatnot in order to play their favorite video game or watch that viral video on YouTube. Even a three-year-old kid can operate a tablet all on his own.

But we all know the dangers lurking in every corner of the world wide web. We all know that there are predators out there disguising themselves as kids the same age as ours in order to gain their trust before going for the kill. The internet is such a dangerous place for our kids to be in without our guidance and protection. So, how can we do that? Through setting up parental controls.

What is parental controls? You tinker with your settings in any gadget, tablet or laptop, in order to put control on what your child can see online. Parental control and privacy settings are best friends when it comes to protecting your child from what he can experience online.

A side note: If you cannot do it yourself, there is always a group of IT support team Toronto you can ask help from. It was the same thing we did for our home since we have our own network of gadgets we use and two internet service providers we connect to.

A child has this natural curiosity to explore things, especially what they see from others. Your kid can see you using the internet and his curiosity will likely get going just by that. We all want our kids to explore, learn, and be amazed by how big the world is right at their fingertips. But we also want to make sure that they are safe and protected while doing it. Who does not want a safe online experience for the little ones?

So, get that gadget your kid is using. Go to settings and you will most likely see a parental control button you can click on. If not, check online whether your gadget brand has it. Again, if you cannot do it, you can ask an IT expert to help you out. Just make sure you know exactly what will be done to the gadget so you know how to navigate the controls.

We used to say that we will not let our kids use gadgets until they turn a certain age. I believe it is not applicable anymore considering how we are all so dependent on technology already. Technology is now part of our way of life, every one of us. But since we are aware of how predators lurk in every corner of the web, we can do something about it in order for our kids to explore on their own and still be safe while doing it.

Parental controls. Read about it. Learn how to do it. And use it for your own peace of mind.

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Managing anxiety.

Two co-workers are suffering from anxiety disorder ever since the lockdown last year. It was triggered by the retrenchment of a number of co-workers who were told to walk because the company needed to stay afloat. They were victims of the cost-cutting measures implemented by management. The two ladies thought they would be retrenched as well, and there is still a chance they might should this pandemic would not let up. Every time there is a meeting being called, you could see the two of them zoning out, their anxiety being triggered once again.

anxiety The thing is, it is not easy to fight off anxiety especially in these trying times. All we can do is manage it in such a way that it would not destroy our sanity and for it to eventually go away.

Let me share my experience with anxiety and how I am able to manage it.

Deep breaths and naps. Anxiety can make you feel like the world is about to end. It can feel like you are about to die or that a heart attack is inevitable. If you start feeling this way, take several deep breaths until you feel yourself calming down. Focus on a happy thought, or something you are positively looking forward to. It will help in taking your mind off the panic attack you are experiencing.

Also, take naps. No matter what time of the day, if you feel like you need to take time off from reality, just take a nap and you will wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world again.

Compartmentalize. One thing I learned from being the breadwinner and emotional reliever of my family is that you can put into boxes some things so you do not feel overwhelmed. Whatever I needed to tackle, I face it first, and push the others at the back of mind for the time being.

Delegate, get experts, don’t do everything on your own. That experienced marketing specialist is there to help you with your online presence. You do not need to do everything on your own because it is another trigger to anxiety. Get an expert. Remember, anxiety is more costly. Delegate. Someone else can do it, too.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating well-balanced meals, exercising, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake, getting enough sleep. These are just some of the things you can do in order to become healthy. Being healthy and active will surely take your mind off the triggers to your anxiety disorder.

Pray and do your best. I do believe in the power of prayer. I have had several panic attacks in the past. I was the breadwinner and I always panic whenever I found myself low on funds. Over the yeas, I realized that praying and just doing my best helped me in overcoming every panic attack I have ever had.

Mental well-being is very important. Anxiety attacks are common these days but we do not need to give in to it. There is always a way for us to manage it and make it go away.

Also, seek medical help.

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Restrictions on traveling.

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Along with other industries, the airline industry took a nosedive during the pandemic lockdown. Until now, traveling has been strictly for essentials only. There are health protocols that need to be followed, travel restrictions that need to be implemented, and quarantine rules and regulations that need to be observed. It has become one of the biggest source of disappointments for a majority of individuals. Can you imagine a number of travel bookings already arranged and ready to be used, then, all of a sudden, no traveling allowed. All the ones that could be rebooked would have to be rebooked, rescheduled, or refunded. It is a lot of hassle, to say the least.

Here are three things you can do to distract yourself while waiting for the travel restrictions to be lifted.

Get those repairs at home done. Instead of wasting away your time checking and re-checking your airline schedule, why not line up all those repairs that need to be attended to in your home. Line up all the parts of the house that needs maintenance. Get a professional to check what needs to be done. That door lock replacement you have been putting off? Now, is the time to do it. Yes, there is an emergency locksmith Toronto professional that you can call anytime but it is still best to get the lock replaced as soon as you find it faulty. The same goes for all the other necessary repairs at home.

Start that activity you have always wanted to get on. Gardening, crocheting, yoga. We all have that one activity we have always wanted to get on board but do not really have the time to really do. This is the right time to get on board that activity you have always had in mind. Check online if there is an organization offering free lessons, or if it is not free, check those that you can afford. You can also do some DIY lessons through instructional videos. There are many ways for you to get on that much needed activity to get your mind off this pandemic.

Spend quality time with your love ones. Notice how we always say that we want to spend more time with our love ones but we always use work and other things as an excuse not to? Now that majority are stuck at home, there are no excuses anymore not to say hello to family members we have not been seeing in a while. We can do so via video calls, or even a traditional phone call will do. Say hi, ask how everyone is doing, take time to really listen to how your parents are faring in this pandemic. Bond with your own family. Put down the phone, turn off all gadgets, and spend hours just talking and listening to one another.

This pandemic has not given us only bad things but there are also some good thrown our way. We just need to sort through it to see. The biggest positive this pandemic has brought to us… time.

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A steady passive income.

This pandemic has taught us so many things but the uppermost is that we should have a steady passive income from which we can build a fund for emergencies such as the lockdown that happened last year. Several co-workers were retrenched because the company was in dire straits. We needed to cut costs to be able to stay afloat and not close shop like what so many other companies did.

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My brother is looking for used tire for sale and it made me think of a car repair shop. My Dad used to own one but it folded and closed shop when someone in the family got sick and we needed the money to pay for his hospital bills. My Dad liquidated his business to use for the hospitalization. But we grew up around that shop so my siblings and I know how to run one. Plus, I am an accountant by profession so it would be easy for us to set up shop again and start that kind of business from ground up. It will become a steady source of passive income for my siblings and I because we do not really plan to quit our nine to five jobs.

Another idea is to go ahead with the plan to put up an online shop for our handmade candles. It has been months since this idea came up but I am really busy so my sister and I put a hold on it for now. My sister has been testing, researching, polishing processes. She is also completing documents so we can register our company very soon. This will be a work-in-progress for now but very soon, I am sure it will come to fruition. This business idea excites me the most because it was a long-standing dream of my sister and I to dabble in candle and soap-making. We love the idea of making something out of our own hands and for others to use the product for their enjoyment and relaxation.

These are just two ideas of our family on how to have a steady passive income flowing into the family coffers. We want to build a sizable egg nest in preparation for old age and also for the little ones. The idea also is to have them grow into businesses and not rely solely on paychecks like what we have been doing for how many years now. We want them to learn that it is totally fine to be an employee but it is so much better if there is a business that they can grow and earn so much from.

This pandemic really made us think and look back to some goals that we have set aside in the past years. Now, more than ever, is the right time to begin working towards those goals again. If not for us, for the little ones in our family. For their future.

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Becoming a “Plant Mom”.

plantita Being a plant mom is the “in” thing these days. Maybe in this part of the world but I have seen in Instagram that a lot of people in different parts of the world have become certified “plant parents”!

I believe it is the need for a healthier environment, one that you can easily control through the placement of plants that help clean the air inside the house. We have seen homeowners remove popcorn ceiling to make sure that they are not breathing fibers in the air which can eventually cause lung diseases.

But that is not enough anymore for most homeowners, most especially those with kids or sick family members at home. A cleaner air is much needed nowadays considering the amount of air pollution that we get when we go out, or even when we open our doors and windows. That is one of the reasons why many individuals are now buying plants to put inside their homes. That is also the very reason why I have become a ‘plant mom’.

So, what is a plant mom, anyway? It is a woman who owns a variety of plants and takes care of it personally. It is very similar to being a pet mom except the things you take care of don’t move or make sounds.

The first plant that was given to me was a snake plant. It is scientifically called Dracaena trifasciata which originated from West Africa. This type of plant is so easy to care for. You need a large pot, or a planter box like what we have at home. Very little sunlight and water needed for this plant. You just put it in a corner and let it be. After just a few weeks, you will notice small growths in between its leaves. You can easily replant those growths and it will start to breathe and grow on its own. No fuss plant. It is the best one I own.

Another plant that I am proud to call my baby is the spider plant or Chlorophytum comosum. I have them planted in plant boxes outside the windows of the house. It purifies the air inside the home while absorbing carbon monoxide and other bad elements in the air. It is also edible so it is safe for kids and pets.

There are a number of succulents and small plants that I also own, given by a friend. And a lot more given to my Dad before he passed away. One other reason why it is really cool to have plants at home? It is soothing to both the eyes and the soul.

Some individuals buy plants to show off that they have more than enough to shell out for pricey plants. I do not like those people. My reason for bringing plants, bought or given, inside our home is for the sole reason of purifying the air we breathe most especially for my nephews. But, hey, if you have the money to part with, then, why not flaunt it. It is your choice, anyway.

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