Out and About Magazine Issue 1 Vol. 2

Issue 1 Volume 2

February 2020

TAKING LESSONS FROM M H.E. AMBASSADOR

HJAYCEELYN AURORA QUINTANA PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE

FINANCIAL LITERACY: LEARN THESE COMPONENTS

THE DARK TRUTH

ABOUT EATING DISORDERS

THE WORLD’S

TOP 16 BREATHTAKING BEACHES

Quoteonth M of the

There is nothing more important to true growth than realising that you are not the voice of the mind - you are the one who hears it. ~ Michael A. Singer

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Outandaboutstylemag Published by Out and About Style FZE (Registered at Fujairah Creative City)

People change and things go wrong but just remember, life goes on.

~ Mac Miller

January may have greeted us with struggles and challenges, but our strength and willpower kept us going. Keep in mind that as long as we breathe, we have another chance to live the life we always wanted.

From the bottom of our hearts, Out and About STYLE Magazine is proud that you are standing strong through all these battles and for keeping the fight. This February, do not be afraid to dream and soar high as we move on with life’s challenges!

EDITOR’S WELCOME

Features and Highlights In our Fashion feature, we present to you Alina Anwar, an international fashion designer for evening wear based in Dubai.

She shared with us her life stories and inspirational journey towards her colourful success. To spice up your daily fashion vibes, check out Denim is a Staple Part of Everyone’s Wardrobe and get the right attitude going.

To get the ideal look, we need to pick the right makeup and tools to use. In our Beauty section, we searched for the 10 Brush Sets, and we included the reasons why we picked them.

Natural eyebrows? Learn How to Get Thicker and Fuller Brows in our Beauty feature as well and achieve that no-makeup look we always wanted to try.

If you want to start a new business, get inspiration from our special guest in our exclusive interview with Igor Sergeev, prominent businessman and founder of the Dubai People, an exclusive business club in the UAE. Learn more about Igor in our Behind The Brand feature. Taking Lessons features Hjayceelyn Aurora Quintana, the incumbent Philippine Ambassador to the UAE. She teaches us how important dedication is to a diplomat and a public servant.

Are you into the visual arts? Check out our Talent Pool section. We interviewed Alena Vavilina, a successful artist who has a unique style of showcasing her wonderful gift.

We want to share with you amazing and educational articles to help you live your life to the fullest. For our Lifestyle feature, we offer you 5 Essential Life-Changing Skills to learn and master to boost productivity and sharpen your confidence. We also need to support each other, so let’s go ahead and learn about The Dark Truth about Eating Disorders. Money matters are always important to prioritise. Learn the basic components of personal Financial Literacy to understand how to manage our limited economic resources properly.

destress. We have researched The World’s Top 16 Breathtaking Beaches that you can browse in our Travel feature.

Most of us are scared of starting something new, which can be a hindrance to get our goals. For our Culture section, we offer these 5 Tips to Overcome Your Fear of Getting Started. Let’s also hear the inspiring story from Joshua Quinn about Putting Yourself in the Driver’s Seat, a personal journey about finding one’s self, dealing with mental struggles and putting ourselves in control of our own lives. Technology is absolutely useful in our daily lives; however, it may be a difficulty for some parents out there. Solo Parenting in the Modern Era is a guide for struggling moms and dads. Finally, we made a book review on The Untethered Soul worth reading to feed your mind and soul with inspiring words.

A healthy body is needed for us to face the challenges we may encounter. In our Food section, we gather 8 Easy Overnight Oats recipes and ideas for you to try. If you still have a hard time getting your daily vegetable intake, try our 10 ways to prepare Mouthwatering Cauliflower Dishes.

A Special Invitation, Exclusively for You We proudly present to you a special affair of beauty: Beyond Beauty: A Journey Beyond the Physical, made possible by Out and About STYLE Magazine and The Beauty Studio. Join us on Monday, February 17, at the Professional Beauty GCC 2020 with the presence of our panellists: Katrina Recca, founder of The Beauty Studio ME and Owner of Kemet Lash Co., Maya Al Hawary, first Emirati PhD Scholar in Emotional Intelligence, Tedx Speaker and Chairman of the Board of Governors of Dubai Carmel School, Lara Tabet, Brand Ambassador and Luxury Business Developer, and as a moderator, yours truly, Marsha Fry. The event will be held at Festival Arena, Festival City, Dubai. See you there!

Along with a healthy diet, we also need ample amounts of exercise even when we’re busy and unable to visit the gym. Workout at Work: 7 Exercises You and Your Colleagues Can Do At the Office is a helpful article in our Fitness segment to develop an active routine even at the workplace.

Taking a break once in a while is needed for us to

Positive Vibes—For Love, Luck and Life Every morning is another chance for us to continue. Let’s keep the hope and positive vibes in our hearts to stand up and start all over again when we need to. Again, from the Out and About STYLE Magazine team that has made this Edition possible, smile and keep going!

1

FASHION • Alina Anwar • Demin is A Staple Part of Everyone’s Wardrobe—Here’s Why!

2

BEAUTY • 1 0 Brush Sets for 2020 • H ow to Get Thicker and Fuller Brows

3

BEHIND THE BRAND

4

TAKING LESSONS

• I gor Sergeev, Founder, Dubai People

• M H.E. Ambassador Hjayceelyn Aurora Quintana Philippine Ambassador to the UAE

Contents

5

TALENT POOL

6

LIFESTYLE

• Alena Vavilina

• 5 Essential Life-Changing Skills • The Dark Truth about Eating Disorders • Financial Literacy: Learn these Components FOOD • 8 Easy Overnight Oats • Mouthwatering Cauliflower Dishes: 10 Ways!

FITNESS • Workout at Work: 7 Exercises to do at the Office

7

TRAVEL

8

FOR THE CULTURE

• T he World’s Top 16 Breathtaking Beaches

• Putting Yourself in the Driver’s Seat, by Joshua Quinn • T he Reinvented Chronicles with Yvonne C. Mtengwa — 5 Tips to Overcome Your Fear of Getting Started • Solo Parenting in the Modern Era • Book Review: The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer • Win with Out and About STYLE Magazine

FASHION FEATURE

Alina ANWAR

ALINA ANWAR COUTURE www.alinaanwar.com

1. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF

I’m Alina, a fashion designer for international evening wear based in Dubai. It’s almost a year since I started working as a fashion designer. Before I started this career, I did my business consulting masters in the UK at the University of Warwick. Then I came back to Dubai since my family is based here and I took a course in fashion designing. I started working on my brand in 2017 and launched my first collection in September 2018.

My very first fashion show known as Royal Gala in Dubai was held in October 2018, just a month after we launched. I was able to do this with the support of other wonderful likeminded people. The response to the show was amazing.

After six months, I dressed my first celebrity from India in March 2019. I was extremely happy to have landed this gig because she’s an analyst and very well-known. To get her at an early stage was a huge achievement. That opportunity spiralled, and I have since then dressed a number of other celebrities, but I believe I still have a long way to go. It’s just the start.

2. WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF FASHION?

I believe that style is your silent story. It’s a way of expressing yourself and your personality without saying a word. Fashion inspires me every day. I eat, love, wear, and do fashion. I cannot imagine myself doing something else other than being a fashion designer.

3. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FASHION?

I have always wanted to be a fashion designer. It inspired me, and I was very fascinated by the idea of doing something related to fashion. I grew up looking at my mom wearing beautiful gowns, and she’s the inspiration behind the brand.

I’m very lucky to have her to look up to. She’s my strength, and she pushes me to achieve as a fashion designer. I came into fashion because of the matriarchs in my life, my mother and grandmother. My grandmother had a sewing machine when I was growing up, so I would watch her sew. After school, I’d come home and watch her stitching clothes for herself. She used to make simple clothes and I loved sitting beside her to look at every small detail. Apart from that, I used to go to tailor shops when I was about 12 or 13. I was very fascinated and attracted by things like laces, threads and colours. I had this thing in myself that I wanted to be unique. I wanted to wear different clothes from everybody else. I had designs inspired from different look books on internet. and I took them to the tailor and would ask them if they could recreate them for me. After going for a while, the tailors began to question where I got the designs, as they couldn’t believe that someone of my age had such an eye for fashion. When they were doing the beadwork and embroidery, I watched keenly. So, all in all, this has been attracting me since I was very young.

4. WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A FASHION DESIGNER?

I think the best part of being a fashion designer is that I learn every day and I get to do a lot of experiments with designs and with colours. There’s this creativity that is involved in this process that keeps me going. I pick up something new on a daily basis.

There’s always something new, and I take risks. I’m able to do experiments, which I enjoy. That’s what I like.

5. WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?

I believe that I still have a long way to go, and it’s not even 10% of what I want to achieve, but it would be dressing up one of the most famous female celebrities for sure. She’s a living legend. To dress someone like her that you’ve been looking up to since you were a child is a huge achievement.

6. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR DESIGNS?

I take inspiration from everywhere, whatever is around me, the colours and the place. For example, if I go to London, and I’m strolling around, I’ll take inspiration from a window display, a building, the colours and everything around me.

If you look into my collections, there’s a different inspiration in each one of them. The first collection was inspired by the old glamour of Hollywood and its celebrities.

The second collection was inspired by the beautiful Hyde Park in London.

The third one was inspired by Italy’s Greenest Park. The current collection was inspired by the garden in the Netherlands.

The fifth one will come out in September this year, and it is inspired by the red carpet and glamour of Hollywood. It has a lot of sequins and colors to play with, including some stylish suits and gowns.

So every collection has something different to offer to the market.

7. WHO ARE YOUR TARGET CUSTOMERS?

When I design, I keep a wider audience in my mind.

My designs are not limited to a particular audience, it’s for everyone: for every age group, for every woman. I design for women because I want them to feel confident and empowered when they wear my designs.

8. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE? My personal style is simple, elegant and classic.

9. WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST ROOKIE MISTAKE YOU MADE WHEN JUST STARTING OUT?

For me, every mistake you make, you learn from it.

I would not say that I’ve made a big mistake. I’ve made many mistakes, but it’s not the biggest one I made. I got a lesson, and I have applied for it later on. It’s not a mistake, but it was a learning process I would say. It’s a learning process throughout. For almost like two years, I’ve been working so I’ve been learning for two years, and I want to learn more.

10. BIGGEST FASHION NO-NO?

In my book, there’s no fashion no-no. I think one should do what they want to do. Be yourself, be confident in what you’re doing. Once you are confident, you won’t ever go wrong. Confidence is your biggest key.

11. WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR BEST DESIGN SO FAR?

The best piece that I have made is the one that we made very recently. It’s a beautiful purple net gown with big flowers on it. It’s short in the front and long in the back. It’s very stylish, very chic. It can be worn at a red carpet event, but we specifically designed and sent it for an exclusive shoot. We worked extremely hard on the piece; we put our best into it.

12. WHAT’S THE GOAL?

I want to achieve a lot and this is just the beginning, I believe. Right now, my goal is to be in one of the prestigious stores in Europe and to dress more famous celebrities and influencers.

IS A STAPLE PART OF EVERYONE’S WARDROBE HERE’S WHY! Denim has been a popular fashion trend for many years, but it’s been here for a long time. In fact, denim dates back to the mid-1600s. There are early accounts of its use in Renaissance Europe, even way before when it was popularised in America as its own national fabric.

If anything, denim has always been related to factory workers, cowboys, truckers and greasers due to its sturdiness, toughness, and resistance to stains. Times have changed and denim has gained immense popularity in fashion books. It is also considered a sartorial must-have for both men’s and women’s wardrobe!

One of the perks of denim is that it could be fashioned in a variety of styles with countless outfits. It also adds an edgy accent to your look. Whether you’re dressing up casual or going smart-chic, denim is versatile and very obliging, if paired right! However, one wrong step could wind you up in a fashion faux-pas.

And that’s where we come in. We’ve rounded up the dos and don’ts of denim styling. Next time you’re dealing with denim, you can avoid being the centre of unpleasant attention.

DENIM FOR WOMEN One piece of denim gives years of wear— thanks to its all-season wearability. It is also universally-flattering and androgynous, as well as lightweight and ideally cotton-made. Denim shirts and jackets make a great choice of wear for summer. Besides, being low-maintenance and a fantastic layering piece, a denim jacket is light enough to keep you cool in the breezy, spring weather and warm enough to protect from the fall chill.

If you fancy the classic fit, blue wash denim jacket, you have to avoid buying cheap bargains that are even cheaper-looking than what you paid for. Even though with a blue jean jacket, the pairing possibilities are endless and not looking cheap is your biggest challenge.

THE CLASSIC BLUE JEAN JACKET AND SHIRT Hence, you have to invest in an expensive-looking blue denim jacket in a clean-looking wash.

Avoid faded or wornout versions. In this case, a darker wash is a better option because it looks fresh, stylish, more of-themoment and creates a slimming effect.

With trousers, flared trousers, leggings, skirts, a denim shirt as a top should be a match made in heaven. With both short and long dresses, or over jumpsuits as outerwear, a blue jean jacket works a charm to create an effortless, everyday look!

You can finish off the look with white sneakers for a sporty appearance. Or combine nude heels and a vintage beige bag for a smart-casual look.

For a fail-safe approach, a denim jacket goes on top of an all-black outfit or an allwhite outfit is a nice spin to an otherwise monochrome look.

DENIM WITH A TWIST If you wish to switch things up and be more fashion-forward and unique, pick out two-toned, printed, patterned, embroidered, patch worked and different washes of denim. These are your best and new ways of trying out denim without looking boring! You could dress up your bottoms or billowy dresses in even more creative and casually-cool ways.

To seal the deal, do justice to denim with structured accessories that lean on the neutral side. Tan, beige, fawn and cream colours of bags, belts and shoes add an expensive feel to your denim. Avoid acrylics and choose natural fabrics like leather or suede for a visually interesting combination.

DENIM FOR MEN Temperature dips can be unpredictable, especially at night.

If you’re in no mood to bother with a blazer or a sports jacket and you won’t mind a light cover for the day, a denim jacket is your best friend.

It’ll keep you cool in the day and warm at night, with a slice of relaxed style! Dudes don’t have to get their heads around the complexities of

denim; you could look your best in denim with a little more attention and common sense.

Instead of aiming for oversized fits, give your inside “gangster” a break and choose “slim-fit” options that hug the contours of your body and bring out your natural body shape. Well-fitted denim jackets

complement your silhouette and don’t overshadow the rest of your outfit, rather balance the look.

Also, distressed denim jackets are excellent and breathable options for a summer wardrobe. You can easily throw on distressed denim jackets every time you head out, even on a hot, summer day since these are breathable all-year-round apparel.

CUTS AND STYLING

The same can be said about denim shirts! Select a fit that envelops you and avoid loose, boxy and baggy fits. This is particularly important for skinny and athletic men. Once the fit is perfected, it’s more about denim washes, styling, mixing and matching.

Traditional blue, white or pastel denim washes are splendid for the start of spring and the height of summer. Not only do light washes feel light to wear, but they make you achieve a preppy style. You can easily style light denim jackets, and shirts with chinos, cords, casual slacks, shorts, khakis and even ripped jeans to add some depth.

You could pair a blue denim jacket with a different coloured blue shirt and bottoms; it works, you know! A simple blue denim shirt could be worn open over plain or striped T-shirts for a sleek, masculine look that never goes wrong!

A denim shirt worn and tucked under a suit looks rather modern and allows you to convey your individuality.

THE DARK APPROACH

Let’s admit going dark with denim is another level of hotness. Black itself is full to the brim sexy, but when you pair contrasting shades with it, the results end up being very powerful. For that, a white shirt, black denim jacket and black bottoms would do. White denim shirt with black jeans is also a very effective option. You have dark blue and grey to consider as well.

FINISHING TOUCHES Wearing trainers might seem the only sensible option to you, but that only goes for a casual appearance. To smarten up and look tailored, boat shoes, loafers and even rugged boots are all you need to go from casual to dressed-up.

It’s never too late to develop a sense of styling: one just needs to experiment with different flairs and trends. Stick to the ones that make you the best version of yourself, all while looking confident.

ORIENTAL BEAUTY

Model: Krisztina Csakany - Avantage Models Photo : Jozsef Balogh Retouch: Ory Gabriel Makeup and styling: Liv Rideg

SENSUALITY

Model: Bia Volgyi Photo and Retouch: Andrea Marton Hair and makeup: Liv Rideg Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary.

01 BEST FOR ALL LOOKS: Morphe Stroke Of Lux Brush Set

M A K E U P M A D N E S S W I T H

10 BRUSH SETS FOR 2020 Hey, 2020 Beauty Bawses! We are now in the year of success, balance and harmony so why not start with making sure your beauty tools are in sync with that? I have taken the time to break down 10 makeup brush sets that will propel your 2020 makeup routine into the Beauty Bawse routine of the decade. Let’s get started!

02 BEST VEGAN SET Zoeva Opulence Vegan Brush SET

03 MOST POPULAR FOR BLENDING BH Cosmetics Details

04 POSITIVE VIBES Spectrum Cosmetics

06 EASIEST TO USE Sigma Essential Brush Kit

08 BEST BUDGET Online Only Silver 11 Piece Brush Collection

05 MOST FLAWLESS Revolution 6pc Pro Complexion Kit

07 PRO FAVOURITE SHANY The Masterpiece Pro Signature Brush Set with Wooden handle, Handmade Natural Synthetic Bristles, 24 pcs

09 MOST VERSATILE ARTIS Elite Mirror Ten Brush Set

10 MOST RELIABLE Makeup by Mario x Sephora Complexion Brush Set

Katrina is the Creative Director at The Beauty Studio, Middle East. In this article, she shares her travel makeup and skin routine.

HOW TO GET THICKER AND FULLER BROWS

Eyebrows make or break your entire appearance, no matter how lush your hairstyle is or how flawless your makeup is. Skinny brows are long gone, it’s time to give your tweezers a break and hit full with your eyebrows. With our tips and hacks in this post, you can up your eyebrow game and get them on fleek!

01 GIVE YOUR EYEBROWS A REST

Constant threading, plucking, and waxing can permanently drive to thinned-out brows, talk about total deforestation! Besides, overnight miracles don’t exist; instead, grow out your eyebrows. You’ll have to wait for at least five to eight weeks with no trimming, considering that eyebrows grow about 0.16 mm per day.

The hardest part is the waiting period, especially in the first two weeks because the pull of taking down excess hair is irritatingly inviting. Refrain from spending too much time in front of the mirror and pondering over your eyebrows excessively. Devote your time doing something healthy for your eyebrows like drinking plenty of water which flushes out toxins from your body and promotes eyebrow growth as claimed by some experts.

Don’t pluck the hair that might slightly frame your eyelids rakishly after two weeks or so. Line them in with an eyebrow pencil for a fuller yet softer appearance or conceal them with a concealer at best.

Pick only the extra strands that materialise in the middle of the brow for a neater approach and leave eyebrow hair from above, below and the tail.

02

CLEAN You might suggestively “eye-roll” at this statement, but indeed we all tend to forget keeping our eyebrows clean or ignore the mere prospect. Eyebrows free from unneeded gunk are essential in supporting its growth. Keep them a distance apart from creams, lotions or moisturisers because chemicals in these items can clog the pores and disrupt the growing process. Whereas, keeping them clean would keep the pores unclogged and ready for its restorative process.

MASSAGE

03

While you’re at it, try giving your eyebrows a massage regularly. This improves blood circulation and promotes thicker, fuller eyebrows. Massaging keeps the root of your eyebrows rejuvenated and eases down your strained forehead. The more relaxed you are, the better your body will recycle.

Try oils like olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil to massage your eyebrows before bed and leave it overnight. These oils are rich in nutrients and promote hair growth, stimulate circulation and increase cellular metabolism, which helps in regrowth and fuller, thicker brows over time while giving the TLC your brows need. Use these oils in their natural, purest form; diluted versions may not bestow the results you’re hoping for.

BRUSH 04

Yes, you heard it right! Brushing your eyebrows is as necessary as taming your hair. Take a spoolie or use your old mascara brush (make sure it’s clean) and lightly flick it across the length of your brow using upward motions. Do this daily to acknowledge a change in your eyebrow growth because brushing eyebrows doesn’t only improve the flow of blood circulation but also gets rid of any unwanted dirt or leftover makeup stuck in those little strands. This process keeps your brows in good shape too!

05 EXFOLIATE Eyebrow exfoliation is crucial in encouraging growth. You don’t need any fancy scrubs for this purpose, use your regular facial scrub and exfoliate your eyebrows twice a week. This procedure nourishes the hair follicles and stimulates eyebrow growth. Wash off the product from your eyebrows thoroughly to remove all scrubbing particles. Brushing, in the end, will ensure your eyebrows are swept clean of any remaining granules.

You can use a soft clean toothbrush to exfoliate your eyebrows as well. Be gentle, or you may end up losing some hair. Turning this into a nightly routine should encourage your brows to grow and also improve their hair cycle.

06

MOISTURISE To quicken things up, moisturising is the key to strike knee-deep when it comes to growing your eyebrows. We recommend eyebrow growth serums or eyebrow conditioning primers which comprise ingredients that enrich the brows for increased growth and strengthening the existing hair mutually—it’s a win-win situation, really!

Particularly, for those who desire quick results without much effort.

Even applying petroleum jelly to your brows works but this process takes time in accomplishing longer, thicker arches. It moisturises the skin under the brows, nourishes the hair, and locks in moisture to encourage the growth of hydrated brows. Not only that, it keeps the eyebrow hair in place, as well! Do this religiously three to four times a day daily. However, if you have acne-prone oily skin, the serum choice is better.

MAINTAIN

07

Once you’ve acquired full brows, learn to maintain them. There’s a difference between plucking your brows and shaping them. Go minimal with the tweezers and concentrate more on acquiring a shape that suits your face. Whatever removal process you employ, remove your brow hair in soft lighting. Because doing so in excessive light translates to over-plucking — exactly what you need to avoid! Either hire professionals to do your eyebrows and learn from them or understand your face map to make a few complimentary changes.

FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT 08 Lastly, groom your brows with makeup! Determine with a brush “the start and end” of your brows.

Set your brows with a spoolie seeing the shape you want and begin filling in with an eyebrow pencil, implementing feather-light pencil strokes that mimic the natural line of your brows. Blur the strokes with slight eyebrow shadow, exerting gentle pressure. You’ll soon have natural, thicker and polished-looking brows in no time and remember—practice makes perfect!

While you let time work its course around your

brows, you can try brow fibre gels. Brow fibre gels have tiny micro-fibres similar to real hair that stick to browhair and look part of them. And simultaneously, enhances the look and volume of your brows instantly. No, the fibres don’t come off unless you rinse with water.

If you have naturally light-coloured brows, invest in a brow tint that is two shades darker than your original brow colour. Brow tints add a nice punch of colour to your brows, making them look more prominent, bolder and beautiful!

Perfect eyebrows are purely trial and error! Obviously! You cannot have your gaps, patches, naturally sparse or pluckedstricken brows to grow overnight. It takes an effort and great patience to achieve the brow profile you desire. Instead of giving into sadness, opt for the challenge of achieving it. When there’s a will, there’s a way! We are with you on your eyebrow journey - may the odds be ever in your favour.

Model: Kinga Nguyen Photo: Jozsef Balogh Retouch: Ory Gabor

Hair and styling: Liv Rideg Makeup: Andrea Beki and Liv Rideg Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary.

Sergeev

Igor

QSH Public Networking Services Quality Standard quality-uae.com Dubai People

dubaipeople.ae BigUAEgiveaway

instagram.com/biguaegiveaway

isergeev_official

Production: Dubai People Special for Out and About STYLE Magazine Photographer: Nassyrova Anastassiya Location: The Penthouse Dubai, Five Palm, Jumeirah.

Production: Dubai People Special for Out and About STYLE Magazine Photographer: Nassyrova Anastassiya Location: The Penthouse Dubai, Five Palm, Jumeirah.

1. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

My name is Igor Sergeev, and I’m a 28-year-old businessman. I was born in Russia, in the small town of Aksay in the Rostov Region.

Most of my childhood and youth were spent in Ukraine.

I am the son of an amazing woman who gave me the right education and the best childhood!

I know for sure that there are no bad people; it’s only how you perceive certain situations. I love life, nature and people. I believe that every day you need to start with a smile and thank God for the day! I believe in the mission of every person; I am sure that good always conquers evil! The main thing in life in all situations is to remain human and make sure your conscience is clear!

2. HOW LONG ARE YOU DOING YOUR BUSINESS? This year, I am celebrating ten years of my active business involvement in Ukraine, Russia and UAE. Main activities of my business are investment, marketing, event management, network and sales systems, public relations, company branding and personal brand development.

Over these ten years, I curated more than 200 events, released 20 magazine

issues, I shot more than 20 TV shows and created more than 50 brand books. In Russia and Ukraine, I am engaged in servicing businesses in the field of marketing. We have a large business club of entrepreneurs and a business magazine. I’ve been developing my company in Dubai for five years.

Let me tell you more about my current focal projects.

BigUAEgiveaway is the only social media fest on Instagram in UAE. We have over 30 ambassador influencers.

We collaborated with more than 100 companies. This is a great platform that allows you to grow your business and personal brand in social media.

Quality Standard is a marketing and events management firm associated with an international club of successful businessmen and entrepreneurs. Quality Standard engages in the development of personal and corporate branding.

Dubai People, on the other hand, is our new platform that we are proud to present on the eve of Expo 2020!

Dubai People is a brand new platform that aims to convene and foster strong, dynamic business relationships among the top personalities and influential

figures in the field of business, management and leadership in the United Arab Emirates.

In its first year, Dubai People shall invite 100 successful professionals in the UAE through the recommendation of its founders and current members. The project aims to seek the visionaries and strategists for the future of business, industry and professional ventures in the country.

3. WHAT IS SUCCESS?

I believe that success is an integral part of every person’s life. Success for each and everyone is a self-definition. It is not necessarily about money; it is much more than that.

Seeing successful people helps me get motivation to develop even more. I really want people to lose envy and instead get motivated.

To achieve, receive, develop, and enjoy—this is success!

4. HOW DO YOU DEFINE AN ENTREPRENEUR?

I am pleased with the game of life itself, the game on how to make an achievement, the game of implementation of goals and plans, and of course, the game of the results! An entrepreneur is a person with a risk-taking attitude, a person that loves a good challenge, a person who pushes himself in the back everyday and kicks! Real entrepreneurs never give up.

Production: Dubai People Special for Out and About STYLE Magazine Photographer: Nassyrova Anastassiya Location: The Penthouse Dubai, Five Palm, Jumeirah.

5. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?

I rarely read literature, but I try to choose the best books. 48 Laws of Power is a very controversial work. I re-read it several times, and I discover something new for myself every time. I also engage in sports. In my childhood, I participated in agrobotics and dancing. I also like big tennis. Music is also a part of my soul. I regularly go to the gym and music helps in keeping a strong spirit. I also consider speaking with wise people as a great hobby of mine.

6. HOW DO YOU MAKE A FINAL DECISION?

My final decision is not negotiable. When in doubt, I will consult with my relatives. I like to discuss new ideas with my team, and I listen to the opinion of professionals. But if I finally decide on something, then this is not subject for discussion. I believe that a man should make decisions and act. Talk less, act more.

7. WHAT ADVICE ARE YOU REMEMBERING TO KEEP YOURSELF GOING? One advice: Igor, you’re doing everything right!

8. TIPS ON HOW TO GAIN SUCCESS.

There is a formula: it is your conscience. If you do everything with honesty, then you are guaranteed success!

9. HOW DO YOU HANDLE FAILURES?

Of course, such moments arise in life. I always tell myself - Igor, it is a part of your path, this is an experience; this is not complexity— this is a new stage to become even stronger. We always have time to surrender, and surrender is not for us!

10. CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ONE FAILURE YOU HAD?

If we are talking about failure in business, then I have a story.

Military operations began in my country, and everything was quiet in my city. I decided to open a business centre. I thought about it for a long time, and I worked at it. The hostilities did not stop me.

A month later, the war began in my city, just as soon as we opened the business centre that we worked developing for two months. At some point, we lost everything: our homes, businesses, and even loved ones. I took a chance and lost, but honestly, I do not regret it.

You can’t even imagine how much stronger I have become.

Production: Dubai People Special for Out and About STYLE Magazine Photographer: Nassyrova Anastassiya Location: The Penthouse Dubai, Five Palm, Jumeirah.

11. HOW DID YOU HELP YOURSELF TO BE POPULAR?

I started a business in another city and entered the business market faster so that more people would recognise me. Then I decided to print myself on the cover of my magazine. Yes, it might not be modest, but it really paid off! A lot of people recognised me in a month. I even received a prize: Business Breakthrough of the Year in Crimea. I worked a lot on my projects, and the magazine helped me to become more popular, which is very important in the media business.

12. IF YOU WILL BE PUBLISHING A BOOK, WHAT WILL IT BE?

It would be a storybook compiled from the history of people from different corners of the planet. I would also love to publish psychological books as well.

13. HOW DO YOU SET YOUR GOALS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS?

I believe that I am getting closer to success every day. I work 24/ 7. More precisely, I constantly think. I have a law for myself: the weekends should always be my day off. It is important to set goals and achieve them. Talk less, do more!

14. WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

The advice is simple—it’s not easy in Dubai. There is a large flow of new entrepreneurs, new ideas and events. Continuously working can help you to achieve something. In Dubai, recommendations are important for businesses and I really like it. Make one client happy, and they will bring you five more clients. You need the right social circle. If you decide to open a business, then write to me, we will help.

15. WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO?

My motto in life is there is no limit to perfection. Personal development above all!

16. WHAT ARE YOUR DESIRES IN LIFE?

I have two children and a happy family. I’m on the Forbes list.

I also know two foreign languages. I recorded my third music album, and I learned how to pilot a plane. Of course, I still want to achieve more in life.

Production: Dubai People Special for Out and About STYLE Magazine Photographer: Nassyrova Anastassiya Location: The Penthouse Dubai, Five Palm, Jumeirah.

Production: Dubai People Special for Out and About STYLE Magazine Photographer: Nassyrova Anastassiya Location: The Penthouse Dubai, Five Palm, Jumeirah.

TAKING LESSONS

M H.E. AMBASSADOR

HJAYCEELYN AURORA QUINTANA PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE

1. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR CAREER.

I’m a career diplomat. I’ve been with the Ministry to be an ambassador, which by experience would take at least 20 years to become eligible. In the Philippines, The Foreign Service Act is the law that regulates the career ladder of foreign service officers.

How did I end up here? I wanted to pick a government career where I can make a difference. After graduating from the university, I cannot imagine myself being in the private sector. I thought that I must use the gifts and talents God has given me for a greater purpose.

As a diplomat, I have been assigned to four postings before serving as Ambassador to the UAE. The first post I was assigned to was the Philippine Embassy in Beijing. Then I was assigned to Washington, DC. I was also posted to Ireland when the Philippines opened an embassy there. After that, I was appointed to Oman.

After two and a half years in Oman, I thought I had just barely scratched the surface, and if I continue, I will be learning more about the region. Prior to being appointed to the UAE, I was Assistant Secretary for Middle East and Africa Affairs where I covered the region on a policy level.

Today, I am serving as Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, which is my first ambassadorship. Having been appointed by the President as an ambassador to this country is a great honour. This is a dynamic region, I know that serving in the UAE is important especially since I have many compatriots who

are making a living in this region, and I thought I would have an opportunity to change some perspectives and policies. This way, I think there would be a real change in how we do things, as well as how we relate with other countries.

2. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME AN AMBASSADOR?

It’s a long-term career in the government. There are levels to pass through to rise up the ladder, and mostly it is a tough experience.

One has to have a lot of patience.

Shortcuts are rare. It’s a commitment when you tell yourself that this is the career you want to have. There are a lot of factors to becoming an ambassador, including political and personal ones.

3. HOW DOES A CAREER IN AMBASSADORSHIP START?

The Foreign Service Act of the Philippines mandates that all aspiring diplomats should take and pass the Foreign Service Officer examination, which is one of the most difficult professional qualifying examinations in our country.

Everything about the career leading to the position of ambassador can be read in the law. The Foreign Service designates ranks which correspond to titles. My current rank is Chief of Mission which qualifies me to be an ambassador.

4. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?

I’m not too conscious about my rank.

I’m more conscious about making a difference. Career achievement will eventually follow because the title gives you a platform.

For some, a career in ambassadorship might easily be taken for granted because one doesn’t get a chance to stay long in the country of assignment. In our case, we are away from home for six years, and those six years might mean staying and getting assigned to different countries or regions. You have to make those years count to serve wholeheartedly and with integrity.

5. WHAT DOES THE ROLE OF THE PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE ENTAIL?

As ambassador, our main job is to act as a bridge between the two governments.

An ambassador also engages in public diplomacy, which means that I communicate with people from different sectors of society. Strictly speaking, I’m the representative of the President of the Philippines.

I am also an advocate in the sense that I want to expand and nurture the relationship of the Philippines with my host country. Incidentally, this year is the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic relations with the UAE. Planning for diplomatic activities should require a study or analysis of the countries’ relations over the years. What is our level now?

What’s the stage of the relationship? Is it maturing? Is it ready for the next phase?

Do we expand our engagement, or are we just going to concentrate on existing areas?

It’s important that I don’t only represent my own country’s perspective but also respect the perspective of the host country. When I engage with them, I can assess that we are now ready for the next stage. We can build upon the very strong relationship that was developed over the years. I would say the experience of serving as an ambassador is unique in every country.

6. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE FACED SINCE BECOMING AN AMBASSADOR, AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THIS?

The Filipino community is one of the biggest expat groups in the UAE so it is a bit challenging in terms of balancing the different expectations of people. I try to be creative in doing my job, and provide a breath of fresh air.

The environment, culture, and perspectives here are different from my country’s so some adjustments may be necessary. You need a sincere heart to engage the people in your host country and serve the country you represent, as this will help you overcome the challenges.

7. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN AMBASSADOR?

Those who aspire to be ambassadors need to understand the other side of this career, the less glamorous side, shall I say. The number one piece of advice is to possess a genuine love of one’s own country. It’s a long journey. Even if you’re able to enter the Foreign Service, being appointed as an ambassador is not a guarantee. Dedication is another key ingredient.

8. IF YOU WERE NOT A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EMBASSY, WOULD THE PHILIPPINES BE AN ATTRACTIVE TOURISM DESTINATION FOR YOU AND WHY?

We all have different travel preferences. It depends on which country you’re coming from, as well as your budget and your goals.

The Philippines is known for its spectacular diving spots and marvelous beaches. But do you know what sets us apart from other

countries? Filipinos are widely known to be warmhearted, humble and hospitable. Pinoys will welcome you with their genuine smiles, and our hospitality turns every tourist’s trip into an even more enjoyable stay. We will take care of tourists with utmost care.

That’s why a trip to the Philippines is almost always a wonderful, unforgettable experience.

9. HOW DO YOU ENGAGE WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE UAE?

You will not run out of ideas, options, and opportunities. They’re very engaging here, and it’s a very open relationship. You feel the openness because of the presence of diverse nationalities.

You’re not really just dealing with one set of people, it’s almost like the whole world.

The challenge is more on getting to know the locals.

That’s why I like to visit places like heritage villages to get a chance to meet the local population. It’s a multicultural environment here, and the atmosphere is cosmopolitan. If you cannot speak Arabic, you can still communicate with the locals. Emiratis are indeed very nice and warm-hearted.

10. WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL GOAL AS AN AMBASSADOR?

I am not going to talk about achieving something.

I am more focused on the step-by-step process.

Nobody else can propel you to the next step but yourself. It’s quite hard to achieve something when you’re not in control of many things. So if there’s something that I need to do that require the help of others and that is not their priority, the challenge is how to make it their priority, too.

I have a very close relationship with the Lord. I believe that everything that happens to me, of course, is preordained by Him. I know that He will lead me to people who will help me with the things He wants me to accomplish. It should be a fun process.

What will I expect to see here? How different is this country from other countries? When you want to achieve something, you have to study the country.

What can I do for this country? What are the concerns of the people I represent here? The fun side is you’ll get a lot of opportunities to interact and solve problems.

I want to be visible to everyone. I’m not the armchair type of ambassador. I don’t want to sit in the office all

day. I don’t want that two or three years may pass by with nobody even knowing the Philippine Ambassador or might not hear about the Philippines. It’s a good thing that the ambassador’s car has a flag—I can go around Abu Dhabi displaying my flag proudly. That’s what I like about this career. It doesn’t box you in at all. It may be limiting you to do something because of the rules and regulations, but in the end, there are many opportunities to explore.

11. WHAT IS THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE BY?

I can’t think of any quote right now but I like the poem “If”

by Rudyard Kipling. It’s about balancing everything in life. There are many things I can and can’t do but still, as I was able to overcome those contradictions, then I’m able to say to myself that all of the years I spent are worth it.

I can only do so much. You cannot have the illusion that what you did was monumental. The way we describe it is akin to the existence of an unplanted seed: we only reap the harvest when we plant it.

TALENT POOL Meet the Artist:

ALENA VAVILINA av.artcreator

www.arts-av.com

1.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

My name is Alena Vavilina, and I create my art under AV Art. Soon after I graduated from an academic art school in Moscow, my art and story started. I decided to create my own signature style and broke the rules which I learned in art school. It was a hard path, but after numerous experiments, my style has been shaped.

I’d love to see art collectors and enthusiasts enjoy my artworks at numerous exhibitions worldwide.

I think my career developed quite fast. I started exhibiting in Moscow as a teenager, and since then, I have been invited to numerous important contemporary art events such as Miami Art Basel, Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, Art Expo Malaysia, Asia Contemporary Art show in Hong Kong, World Art Dubai and so on. I have been selected among numerous Russian artists to present at the Russian Federation Embassy at Art Expo Malaysia in 2018. Currently, I have a long list of solo and group exhibitions in galleries around the world. My artworks and sculptures have been shown in countries such as France, Belgium, Macedonia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the UAE, and Russia. I am still exploring other countries where I can introduce my artworks.

2. WHEN AND HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR ARTISTIC TALENTS?

I’ve been fascinated with drawing since my childhood years. My first Art teacher was my father. He taught me how to use watercolour and draw still life. I still keep my first watercolour artworks. I attended different art classes and completed five years of academic art school in Moscow, where I got all the classic skills of drawing.

As soon as I graduated, I became a full-time artist.

3.

WHY ART?

Authors use words and phrases; it gives them the possibility to write stories about people’s life, express their philosophical thoughts, describe imaginary situations and use their fantasies. I always say artists are writers who write their stories using paint, paper and other media. It is one of the ways to deliver messages to the public and to tell your story.

4.

WHAT THEMES DO YOU PURSUE?

The main idea of my artworks and sculptures revolves around nature. I ask the viewers to stop and have a break in their busy, everyday lives. I invite them to appreciate and pay attention to nature which surrounds us, helping to

find the balance in our lives. The main purpose of my artwork is not politics or everyday problems. I believe that the majority of people need more relaxation, observation, and finding inner balance.

My artworks of nature have been drawn in my own mixed media style with the influence of Asian, which is mainly Chinese art, and a minimalistic approach.

Chinese philosophy has a great impact on my art.

5. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ARTWORK?

As I mentioned earlier, I have a mixed media style on paper and canvas. I always use a minimum of three media in a painting. Moreover, gold leaf and silver leaf are my favourite media.

I do have paintings where I used red wine (No boundaries, Collection 4 and 3), which is absorbed in paper and left incredibly beautiful dark red spots.

In my latest artworks on canvas such as Cherry Blossom, Red Balloon and Elephant, I used artificial fur and wire along with silver leaves and acrylic paint. I like the mixed media approach as it makes the paintings more interesting and sophisticated; it attracts viewers to spend more time investigating every centimetre of the artwork. The same mixed media concept is what I also use in sculptures. For example, my collection of Ocean Drops and Ocean Drops Little are done from cement and gypsum; the wings are metallic, and the body of the sculpture is covered with acrylic paint.

6. WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST?

I would say being an artist is not a job; it’s a lifestyle. You are absolutely dedicating all your life to art.

7. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN A PIECE OF ARTWORK IS DONE?

It’s the hardest part for most artists, as far as I know. I would say it is an inner sense which tells you to stop.

Sometimes, I take a day off to have a rest from painting a particular artwork and then looking at it from a different angle. If I am happy about what I see, I stop working on it.

8. WHICH ARTISTS ARE YOU MOST INFLUENCED BY?

I love numerous artists from around the world such as Gustav Klimt, Takashi Murakami, George Condo, Givi Vashakidze—the list can be endless.

I appreciate their styles and paintings, but my main approach is not to be influenced by any artist. You may end up copying the artist with minor changes, or you might always be associated with his art and stay in his shadow. My target is to be recognised by my own style.

9.

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR ARTWORK?

It can be absolutely everything that I see or surrounds

me. For example, one of my artworks was inspired by a cup of tea. I was pouring black tea in a cup, and it left a few bubbles on the surface of the tea. I found it interesting, and I took it as a subject or main element for my artwork. Definitely, nature is one of the biggest sources of inspiration.

10. BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?

My biggest achievement is quick career development and recognition by numerous art curators of international galleries. The Butterflies series brought about my 2018 award. The most recent development is an invitation to an art exhibition held in Florence, Italy, known as Florence Biennale, or the Biennale Internazionale Dell’Arte Contemporanea. I am honoured to have been invited by Pasquale Celona, the president of this exhibition.

11. DO HABITS HELP (OR HINDER) CREATIVITY?

I have a habit of spending at least two hours a day drawing, no matter if I’m working on the sketches or details of paintings. I think this habit is very useful as it pushes me to create more and deliver more artworks to art enthusiasts.

12. COMPLETE THIS QUOTE: “EVERY ARTIST……….”

Every artist is a mirror which reflects his own world.

13. WHAT IS AN ARTISTIC OUTLOOK ON LIFE?

From my point of view, the artistic outlook on life is the perception of beauty and an attempt to reflect that unique perception in his or her art. While I have been travelling and presenting my artworks around the world, I figured out that it’s important to involve more people in the art world as it develops a sense of beauty and harmony.

14. WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR ARTWORK?

My artworks can be found in several galleries around the world which include: International Artists Management (IAM) Gallery in Andaz Capital Gate Hotel, Abu Dhabi; Art WeMe Contemporary Gallery in Kuala Lumpur; Artistery’s Gallery in Vienna; and the art auction at Winzavod Art Gallery in Moscow.

Moreover, you can visit my booth at the upcoming big contemporary art exhibition on April 8 — 11 in World Art Dubai, where I’m going to present new sculptures and paintings.

For more information about me and my upcoming exhibitions, visit my official website at www.arts-av.com

ARTWORK DESCRIPTIONS 1.

OCEAN DROP GYPSUM, METALLIC WIRE WINGS

The artist has always been fascinated by the elements of nature and “ocean (water)”, and it has a special place in it.

“Ocean drop” is another piece which reveals the contemporary vision of the ocean. It is the soul of the ocean. Such representation of the ocean is based on Japanese culture and believes that each object and nature has a soul (what also vividly can be seen in anime). The sculpture has a shape of water drop in anime style, while eyes and wings are the sign of all living ocean beings.

SIZE 30X20X15

2. NO BOUNDARIES 3 MEDIA: PAPER, INK, CHARCOAL, WINE, SILVER LEAF, WATERCOLOUR SIZE 76X56 CM

SIZE 100 X 65 CM 3. NO BOUNDARIES 4 MEDIA: PAPER, INK, CHARCOAL, WINE, SILVER LEAF, WATERCOLOUR

The No boundaries collection is one of the most recent creations of the artist. The presence of butterflies represents the fragility of people’s lives, while the yellow borders symbolise geographical boundaries. The artist is trying to deliver the idea that our lives should not perch on someone’s boundaries.

We should find our unique ways and enjoy our individual way of living.

4. THREE BUTTERFLIES,

MEDIA: PAPER, INK, WATERCOLOUR, SILVER LEAF SIZE 76X56 CM

Butterflies have been drawn in the favourite colour palette of the artist. The effect of transparency represents the fragility of these mystical winged creatures. The artist visualises the sky through silver leaf waves on the left side of the artwork.

5.

RED BALLOON MEDIA, CANVAS, ARTIFICIAL FUR, ACRYLIC, SILVER LEAF, METALLIC WIRE SIZE 101 X 152 CM

The artist has always been fascinated by the elements of nature, and Red Balloon confirms this fascination. The main inspiration dawned on the artist after observing partially-abandoned gardens in Sicily, and unknown to the artist at first, wildflowers covered the grey walls. Red Balloon is a philosophical rethinking of observing nature.

The artist’s admiration with water can be seen through the water drops and little puddles. Water is one of the natural elements that can be observed in perpetuity, while a red balloon symbolises an element of a man-made creation that can only be observed in a fleeting moment.

6. CHERRY BLOSSOM, MEDIA: CANVAS, ARTIFICIAL FUR, ACRYLIC, SILVER LEAF, METALLIC WIRE SIZE 101X152 CM

The fall of cherry blossom petals is considered to be one of the most beautiful moments in nature. The artist took the opportunity to show her contemporary vision of the shower of cherry blossoms. Little, fluffy white “Cherry Monster” invites the curious eye to watch the grandeur of summer and stop for a while. He stands by a grey wall that represents our monotonous busy lives.

7.

BUBBLES, BLACK COLLECTION, MEDIA: BLACK PAPER, GOLD LEAF, CHARCOAL, ACRYLIC SIZE 100 X 70 CM

LIFESTYLE

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ESSENTIAL LIFE-CHANGING SKILLS The average day in an individuals’ life is usually centred around a schedule that repeats itself. This ensures comfort, but does it bring satisfaction? Whether one denies or openly agrees, a common afterthought regarding daily life is normally based on how one can improve our lives to maximise the quality of living. Hence, It is important to start learning life-changing skills for a more productive, balanced life.

01

PUBLIC SPEAKING

02

FORMING GOOD HABITS

This common source of anxiety afflicts 75% of the population. Public speaking, as daunting as it is, reaps life-long benefits. Take this skill like a muscle, as muscles only develop when they are being used.

Putting aside advantages like communication skills to enable the creation of new social connections and leadership skills, public speaking trains one to be an overcomer. When speaking to an audience, a speaker must overcome anxiety and self-doubt and gain confidence in themselves in order for their message to be communicated effectively. A constant overcoming of setbacks allows one to acquire their full potentials and use their flaws in a strengthening manner.

This also means that it’s time to get rid of some bad habits. Good and bad habits cannot, and will not coexist.

As if this wasn’t hard enough, you will need to be extra patient and disciplined to develop this skill: it has been scientifically proven that on average it takes around 60 66 days for a behaviour to develop a habit.

Begin by simplifying desired habits and make them easy to complete to encourage consistency. For example, if the desired habit is to develop healthier eating attitudes, one could start with challenging oneself by eating one kind of vegetable per meal. These small habits, in combination with patience and discipline, can grow to become more dominant ones, and eventually turn into bigger goals.

Samuel Johnson explains it succinctly: “The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.”

03

NEGOTIATION

Around this point, an individual should be able to understand his or her value and how he or she could make an effective contribution to his social and business circles. Negotiation isn’t merely reaching an agreement: it is about reaching for an advancement that they know they are worthy of. This worth is created through confidence and channelled through good habits.

Negotiation thrives on the Don’t Settle mentality.

Progress is made when we create win-win situations, all while listening to the participating parties’ needs and motivations. The worst that could happen is rejection, but it’s nothing new, and the best thing to do is to enjoy and learn from the experience.

04

WRITING

We live in an age of the hustle and bustle. Our thoughts are mostly exchanged on the surface, and there seems to be no time for thorough expression. A timeless skill that remains to be an essential one is that of writing, which can either be channelled through technical, academic, business or creative writing. Through writing, important ideas and brilliant plans, as well as memories and stories, can be safeguarded and not forgotten.

Creative writing enables generations both young and old to be entertained and enthralled by experiences and perspectives in which stories and experiences are told. In a demanding world, one can only store so much in their minds. Writing can take refuge all notable and reflective thoughts, ideas and imagery. The mental decluttering that writing can provide gives an individual a more lucid, sharper mind. Moreover, writing enables one to organise abstract thoughts into more realistic, concrete ideas leading to actionable goals and plans.

05

MEDITATION “Meditation provides a way of learning how to let go.

As we sit, the self we’ve been trying to construct and make it into a nice, neat package continues to unravel.”

—John Welwood Meditation is gaining more interest as a skill that sharpens one’s mind, leading to a more productive, meaningful life. At first, it can be difficult to get one’s head around the art and science of meditation, but an important aspect of this practice is tapping deeper into the inner being, to watch one’s self unravel.

Meditation is a revelation: it reveals ways for one to combat the daily challenges of life through the enhancement of self-awareness. This enhancement can be expressed in other areas such as negotiation and public speaking. Meditations need not be a tedious activity to accomplish. Think of meditation as a temporary escape to refresh.

It is important to understand the significance of patience and discipline in the journey to acquire life-changing skills. The modern age seeks urgency and instant results. We, as human beings, need the essential time to learn indispensable skills and healthy coping behaviours to enjoy our lives to the fullest.

THE DARK TRUTH ABOUT EATING DISORDERS

Social media has severely distorted the way modern society views the real world in the eyes of the youth.

Comparing one’s body image to airbrushed and heavilyedited images of famous personalities has taken a toll on the young. This is triggering an overall reduction in self-confidence and an increase in the feeling of dissatisfaction; social media has played its part in spreading health concerns in the Middle East as well.

Cases of eating disorders have risen sharply in the past ten years, and it turns out that the most affected individuals are young teenagers. But what exactly is an eating disorder, and what does it entail?

An eating disorder occurs when a person experiences disturbances in their eating patterns, as well as their thoughts and emotions related to food. An individual with an eating disorder will typically be preoccupied with one’s body image and alter their diets excessively in an attempt to change their physical appearance. It is a mental illness marked by distress about eating and an obsession with body weight.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

This disorder is characterised by weight loss, having a distorted body image, and the inability to maintain an appropriate weight in relation to age, height, stature.

Anorexic people typically restrict the number of calories ingested and the kinds of foods that they eat. You can spot anorexia in your family member when the following symptoms or behaviour patterns appear: • Excessive exercise patterns • Skipping meals • Cessation of menstrual cycles • Brittle hair and nails • Osteoporosis (bone thinning) due to calcium deficiency • Dressing in several layers (fees cold/to hide weight loss)

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Bulimia, unlike anorexia, is harder to spot, as there is little to no weight loss symptom.

Patients with bulimia suffer from episodes where they binge-eat or eat fast, and they barely chew or savour the food’s flavour.

These binges are only stopped when interrupted by an external factor, or when their stomachs hurt due to excessive intake in a short time. Once a binge is over, the patient will feel an overwhelming sense of guilt. This causes them to induce vomiting or use an enema or diuretic to expel the food they have just eaten.

This cycle can last several days. Look out for these signs if you suspect someone is suffering from bulimia: • Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals • Smelling of vomit • Inattentive and lethargic • Puffy-looking face and cheeks • L ots of unexplained food wrappers, sudden and regular disappearance of food • Finding food stored in strange places

BINGE EATING DISORDER Though there are quite a few similarities between binge-eating and bulimia, there are some distinct ways to tell them apart.

For one, a binge eater will not purge or throw up, whereas a bulimic patient will instantly empty the contents of their stomach.

People struggling with bingeeating will eat abnormal amounts of food, often in isolation to avoid embarrassment. They do feel an immense sense of shame and low self-esteem soon after, but they are unable to stop such episodes.

Binge-eating will mostly result in obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

PREVALENCE OF EATING DISORDERS

In 2017, the Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural Health Sciences, Zayed University, conducted a study on 315 female students aged 14 - 19 in Ajman, UAE. It was discovered that approximately 36% of the students ran a risk of suffering from eating disorders. Further analysis revealed that 20.3% of them had binge eating disorder symptoms; 4.8% showed signs of bulimia, while 5.4% were at risk of being anorexic. It shouldn’t be a surprise to us that 49.1% of the teenage girls in the study who were clearly underweight perceived their body image to be normal.

A survey conducted in 2012 at the Al Ain University reported that 1.8% of 900 girls in their teenage years were anorexic. The demographics suggest females to be the more prominent gender who struggle with eating disorders. Ages 15 - 25 years are the most affected age groups, but alarmingly, there is an increase in younger patients as well.

This health concern does not spare men. They may go unnoticed in afflicted men since body image and weight issues are stigmatised to be ‘female problems’. If you know of any male member of your family or in your circle of friends who are suffering from an ED, please let them know that they are not alone in dealing with it.

The main determinants that aggravate the risk of eating disorders are: • Dieting trend/s in the family • Societal pressure or peer pressure • Social media influence • Family pressure to change the physical image • Stress • Depression • Being bullied at home and/or school Experts warn that eating disorders are serious and potentially life-threatening. Most of the patients delay treatment because they deny admitting that they need help or admit it too late.

Early detection and early diagnosis can help to a great extent in achieving a more favourable outcome. Anyone who goes even five years struggling with any of these disorders with no treatment may suffer from more serious and lasting chronic illnesses. Therefore, there is a need for families to be aware of any red flags that may be a sign of a loved one needing help.

Some important Do’s and Don’ts that carers, parents, friends or even siblings can keep in mind are: • Do lend a listening ear but voice your concerns too.

• S ufferers of eating disorders do not get better with time. Kids do not “grow out of it”. Do seek help at the first signs of distress.

• Do offer as much emotional support as needed.

• D on’t be accusatory and threatening. The last thing a child needs to hear is that you will take them to a psychologist if they don’t start eating better.

• Don’t wait to ask a professional if you aren’t sure. Always confirm your doubts.

There are programs and talks being held in the UAE to emphasise on the importance of healthier dietary habits, especially among Emirati teenagers. Skilled specialists in the UAE provide in-depth treatment plans to address nutrition, therapy and medications tailor-made to suit every individual case of eating disorder.

Let us be more open and accepting of this growing health concern. It is important that we become aware of this mental affliction even though we may not be the ones suffering. Assure your young siblings and children that they don’t have to fulfil some unreal expectations of being ‘perfect’. As long as they are thriving and happy, they are perfect.

FINANCIAL LITERACY: LEARN THESE COMPONENTS

A

Equipping yourself with financial knowledge helps you to make money decisions easier. It’s important to have an understanding of the basic principles and then make it a priority to increase your financial knowledge. People who are smart with money are always working on increasing their financial knowledge. Remember that nobody cares more about your money than you do. If money is one of the crucial elements to helping you build the life that you want, getting better at managing money should be one of your priorities.

HERE IS A START: THE BASICS OF BUDGETING Budgeting is the process of maximising your income. Budget entails becoming conscious of how you are deciding to spend your money. A lot of people get to the end of the month and wonder where their money went, as if they have no idea what happened. Budgeting ahead means you get to start the month knowing what’s going to happen to leave you in control of where your money is going.

When planning your budget, take into account the income that you actually receive every month. You want to create a budget based on regular or average monthly income. Have a separate way of dealing with your irregular income like commissions, bonus or allowances. This way, you’ll able to allocate money to all the important activities or expenditures without relying on a variable or irregular income.

THE THINGS THAT ARE OFTEN MISSED OUT OF A BUDGET ARE:

for medical emergencies or fortuitous events. More importantly, an emergency fund is a liquid asset in the bank that makes you feel secure, that in the event something unexpected happened, you are assured that you have a certain amount that can keep you for a while.

• TRAVEL – many people use their savings for

travel. For most of us, travel is part of our expenses, whether we do it once a year or frequently.

Allocating funds for travel means you can leave your savings account for other future goals.

• GIFTS – Birthdays, weddings, births, festivities

and other celebrations. Let’s face it: life’s celebrations are one of the very few things that you will remember in the end. Work out how much you spend on the average over a year and allocate a monthly amount to it. Include gifts to yourself too!

• MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURES – expenses that come out every month on bit and bobs, this and that. It might relate with repairs or unexpected expenses on the car, the house, or other allowances.

There is always something unexpected every month.

Allocate an amount for these expenses. Also, keep the miscellaneous fund separate from your emergency fund. An emergency fund should be something that is not that frequently used, perhaps

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It is also helpful to create separate bank accounts or even envelopes for each of these categories.

Think of it as a financial filing system.

UNDERSTANDING INTEREST RATES

An interest rate is the cost of borrowing or holding money.

A bank would pay you a rate of interest on money you hold with them. Even though that money might be sitting in a current account or savings account, it is money that the bank has access to use as a business. Holding your funds in a bank will offer you a rate of interest based on how much you have. Usually, the longer you leave your money with the bank, the higher the rate of interest you are given. A bank account will have a much lower interest rate than a 12-month deposit account. Interest is usually paid back into your account.

You will also pay a rate of interest on the money that you borrow. The interest rates are set by banking and lending institutions, as regulated by the national government.

The interest rate could be different depending on the purpose and stipulated period of the loan.

It’s important to know how interest is calculated, especially on debt, for you to know the total or accumulated money that you need to pay back.

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C. PRIORITISING SAVING

D. CREDIT-DEBT CYCLE TRAPS

To do this easily, you need to focus on your goals and why they are important to you. Often, we forget why things are important to us, and so we need reminding. This emotional charge will keep you committed to keeping saving and keeping it as your first expense.

Credit cards are often sold by highlighting the interest at between 2 - 4%, but this is the interest rate on a monthly period. Computed on an annual basis, the average interest rate of a credit card in the UAE is 37.5%.

‘Pay yourself first’ is a phrase commonly used by the most successful and wealthiest people on the planet. It means to consider your savings your most prioritised expense. If you think about it, it actually is another expense, but just one that needs to be paid in the future. By paying yourself first, you are simply being smart by prioritising what usually are your most important expenses.

It’s also important to break different saving accounts or investment accounts down based on your timeframe when you will need that money.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

RASHEDA KHATUN KHAN

This usually comes down to my first point on how effectively you have budgeted. When you miss out budgeting for expenses that don’t come out monthly, it leads to not having enough money to cover it and so out comes the credit cards.

You hope to pay it back next month, but by then there is another expense you need to account for. If you are not able to repay your credit card in full for two consecutive months, then you need to go back to your spending and cut back. It usually means you are spending more than you earn.

If you are reconsolidating debts, ensure that you commit only to a monthly repayment that is actually affordable.

Often, reconsolidation loans are taken out when financiallystressed, and it is easy to fall into the debt trap. Do your numbers before going to the bank and only commit to what’s affordable to pay back.

Wellness & Wealth Influencer, Motivational Speaker & Presenter with over 15 years’ experience working with businesses and individuals as a financial advisor in corporate banking, leadership and personal development trainer, a debt panellist for The National and a Kinesiology Practitioner, Rasheda is known to many as a wellness & wealth inspiration.

Thousands have benefited from her work to empower people with the education, tools and resources needed to live a healthy and wealthy & meaningful life. She has hosted and spoken at a number of events and corporate training functions in the UAE, Qatar, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Singapore. These particular

experiences have given her expertise in business, financial and wellness empowerment.

In the midst of her success and to everyone’s total surprise, in 2006.

26-year-old Rasheda learnt that she was riddled with cancer from her diaphragm to the top of her skull chances of survival were slim. Ever since then, Rasheda has avidly worked to live a better and richer life and to teach others the life-changing lessons she only realised herself after being diagnosed with cancer.

Rasheda is a lover of life, a visionary full of passion, an educator and a philanthropist at heart.

FOOD

8 EASY OVERNIGHT OATS

We all know the goodness of oats for our digestion, heart and overall health. A healthy serving of oatmeal a day can help us reduce our chances of acquiring digestion-related issues. It can also aid in weight loss for its fibre content. Oats are also heartsmart foods that can reduce our risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Needless to say, oats is a good addition to our daily diet because of its amazing health benefits. It also works like a broom that sweeps away oil and toxins before flushing them out the body naturally.

Lately, overnight oats are gaining the attention of health-conscious individuals. There is no doubt why, though. Oatmeal is easy to prepare and nutritious, containing loads of omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, magnesium, protein and the all-good fibre.

Now, if you’re looking for ways on how to include it on your diet for these benefits and more, check out the following for 8 easy overnight oats ideas.

OVERNIGHT CHIA OATMEAL

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You might want to try this easy, quick and healthy breakfast.

Double up on your fibre dose for breakfast by combining chia seeds and oats. Throw all your ingredients together before bed, and get it inside the fridge.

Morning comes, and your breakfast is ready for serving!

Microwave it or eat cold. Make it healthier by throwing in your favourite fruits like berries, nuts or bananas. You can get it yummier, too, by adding some dark chocolate chips.

Chia packs fibre and a host of vitamins and minerals that help keep a sexy waistline. This meal is healthy and quick, so try it out! Are you looking for inspiration? Check out this video.

FLAXSEED OVERNIGHT OATS

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It is one of the easiest overnight oats ideas that you can try at home. All you have to do is to toss in all your ingredients in a jar and leave it overnight. You can use chia seeds for this recipe, too.

It is a heart-healthy breakfast that you can make even more exciting by adding some soy milk or almond milk, or whatever you have. You can also add in some chopped fruits like bananas and a dash of ground cinnamon for that inviting aroma.

For some final additions, you might also want to add in some chopped almond nuts or walnuts. Here is a video for inspiration.

Flax seeds, by the way, are loaded with protein, fibre and fats – monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated fat. It is good for cholesterol management and blood pressure control.

BLUEBERRIES AND BANANA OVERNIGHT OATS

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Get your protein, fibre and vitamin dense breakfast even if you don’t have the time to spare. Try the simple and easy recipe that you can do in minutes. All you have to do is to combine all the ingredients in a container and keep it in the fridge overnight.

Alternatively, you can have it as a snack instead of breakfast too, but make sure that you leave your oats soaked for at least three hours. Add in some honeycomb yoghurt, bananas and blueberries, and other healthy ingredients you want.

As we all know, bananas are dense with fibre, potassium and vitamins and minerals. Adding blueberries in the mix, we also get many antioxidants, which are good for our waistline and heart, too. These antioxidants are also natural antiageing solutions. Watch this video for inspiration.

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CINNAMON BLUEBERRY OVERNIGHT OATS

Definitely, this is a powerful duo that can make you healthy and happy! Blueberries are with antioxidants that can reduce your stress levels, while cinnamon can rejuvenate your senses for its enticing aroma. Now, there is no excuse for having a healthy breakfast.

This recipe is vegan, and it will help you get started with your day right! Watch this video for an idea.

WALNUTS OATMEAL

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BANANA

OVERNIGHT

Oatmeal is one of the best ways to keep your heart healthy because it can help in flushing toxins out of the body. You can prepare it in a cinch! Before going to bed, you can prepare this healthy breakfast, which you can have in the fridge for an easy and healthy morning meal. It can help jumpstart your day and make you ready for whatever life will throw at you!

Oats are loaded with fibre, potassium, folate and omega-3 fatty acids that can help in lowering bad cholesterol while keeping your arteries clear of any blockage. Check out this recipe for inspiration.

ACAI OVERNIGHT OATS YOGURT BOWL

If you’re looking for a low-calorie breakfast while also supplying your body with the energy it needs, try this acai overnight oats yoghurt bowl. It is healthy, delicious and oh so easy to prepare. This morning meal is packed with protein and fibres just enough to make you feel full for a longer period of time. Throw in all the ingredients in a jar and keep it overnight in the fridge. Watch how easy it is to make this breakfast on this video.

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GREEK YOGURT PUMPKIN SPICE OVERNIGHT OATS

If you miss the flavour of fall, you can have the overnight oats that contain the healthful goodness of protein and fibre at the same time. You might also want to have it if you are trying to lose weight because it is loaded with antioxidants, fibre and protein that can suppress the appetite for a longer time than having refined bread in the morning. Are you looking for recipe inspiration? Go ahead and check out this video.

STEEL CUT OATS WITH ALMOND MILK AND HONEY

Yummy, filling and nutritious, what else would you want for a perfect breakfast. Get all these and more in this easy and simple oatmeal recipe.

Almond milk is low in calories and is dairy-free. It may also help in reducing the risk of heart disease. Honey, on the other hand, is the healthier alternative to sugar. It is also packed with antioxidants that can strengthen your immune system. Try this easy recipe. Watch this video!

There you have the eight easy overnight oats that you can try to have for breakfast. They are delicious, healthy and of course, easy to make! Go ahead and plan your week’s morning meals with these delish and quick breakfast or snack ideas.

FOOD

MOUTHWATERING CAULIFLOWER DISHES: 10 WAYS! Cauliflower is one of the most versatile veggies around, but not all people like it, admit it or not. Little do they know that there are so many ways to eat this vegetable with a curd-like texture and cabbage-like taste.

And aside from its great uses in food preparation, cauliflower also packs a punch in fibre and B-vitamins. It can supply the body with phytonutrients and antioxidants, which may help reduce cancer risk. It also contains fibre that aids in digestion and weight loss.

Plus, it is good for kids for its choline that is essential for memory and learning.

If you’re among those still doubtful about eating cauliflower, keep reading and be ready to be converted later (from a hater to a fan).

HOW TO EAT CAULIFLOWER IN 10 WAYS

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SOUP

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PASTA BAKE

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CAULIFLOWER RICE

Cauliflower can add a bit of texture to any plain soup. You just want to have it on a cold evening or winter day. Prepare cauliflower with your chosen ingredients to fight the cold and stay warm instead. This veggie is versatile to add to any soup dish for its subtle flavour. There are more than a hundred ways of preparing cauliflower soup.

Add a new spin here and there, and come up with a variety of soups to enjoy with cauliflower. One of those is this recipe.

Try it now!

Plus, you can add it in stews and see how it perfectly blends into the flavour of your dish.

Cauliflower pasta bake is another easy and simple recipe that you can make with this lovely veggie. If you love macaroni and cheese, you will love this, too! Add it to your favourite pasta dish together with some strips of crispy bacon for added flavour. Alternatively, you can toss in some cauliflower in your fave pasta dish, too!

Have it along with a green and healthy salad for a full course meal. Use this video for an easy to follow recipe.

This low-carbohydrate recipe is common among dieters that want to reduce their weight or have it managed. They have it as a low-carb alternative to their white rice that they can prepare in 10 minutes. You need a food processor for this recipe to make a base that will be ready for cooking in minutes. Check out this inspiring video on how to make cauliflower rice.

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CHUTNEYS

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PIZZA

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CURRY

Do you love piccalilli? If so, you might want to check out this tangy chutney! You can enjoy a slice of bread or cheddar cheese. For better results, you can also use mustard or some turmeric on it, too. Watch this video on how to make cauliflower chutneys.

If you love pizza, you have to try this dish. It is gluten-free and healthy. To finish it off, you can top it with cheese and other choice vegetables. All you have to do is to season your cauliflower, get it in a moulding pan, and bake it for your pizza base. Get the recipe here.

One suggestion is potato and cauliflower curry. If you love Indian food and want a little twist to the tradition of using meat with potatoes instead, try this recipe that will turn your world upside down. It is a fusion of flavours that your taste buds will never forget. It is a simple dish that you can feed to a crowd of guests. The one-pot meal is loaded with Indian flavours for a different meal that you can serve with naan bread and chutneys, too. Get inspiration on this video.

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ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

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CHEESE BAKE

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VEGAN FRIED CHICKEN

Get it spiced or plain salted; it is your choice! Try roasted cauliflower and smell the earthiness that this cooking method can bring out of cauliflower. You can use Middle Eastern spices to make it even more exciting and release cauliflowers nuttiness.

This dish is perfect for picnics, sharing and other outdoor activities. Roast these veggies until crispy and caramelised, and then add some parmesan and lemon.

So aside from roasted corn to serve on your weekend barbeque party, you can prepare roasted cauliflower for an exciting addition. Grab this recipe here.

Yummy and comforting, cheese bake dish is a classic and an all-time favourite among those that just loooove cheese. It is a classic flavour combination that will awaken your senses and keep you coming back for more. Add in broccoli to the mix, and be ready for an explosion of flavours. Add your favourite greens on the side to complete this meal. Here is an inspiring video.

Replace your traditional comfort food with this delectable and nutritious cauliflower deep-fried recipe. These croquettes are perfect for parties or afternoon snack. They’re also perfect for sharing and outdoor activities because they’re easy to make and eat, too. Your kids will love it, and they won’t even notice that they’re veggies. Just make sure to get these croquettes golden brown to perfection, creamy inside and crispy outside. Get the recipe in this video.

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CAKE

A cauliflower cake is an impressive and creative way of eating cauliflower. You can have it for a weekend dinner that will surely keep your guests coming back for a second helping. It is healthy that vegans will thank you for it. If you’re looking for inspiration, here is a video for you.

Surely, there are more ways than one to prepare cauliflower.

You can get creative and mix it with different vegetables for a healthy salad, too. Definitely, it is one of the most versatile vegetables in the kitchen that you can roast, bake and deepfry, to name some.

Nevertheless, cauliflower is nutritious, delicious and cooks easily. You can use it for a wide range of dishes without changing its flavour at all or have it as a pizza base as we’ve mentioned earlier.

FITNESS

WORKOUT AT WORK: 7 EXERCISES TO DO AT THE OFFICE Being tied on your chair, sitting at your desk and definitely watching the 9-5 time passes by, it’s your life day by day. Working for 40 hours a week or sometimes, even more, comes the busy season, you find it really hard to sneak a workout into your daily routine.

However, there is no excuse to be fit! That’s not for weight management or losing weight alone, but also for improving health, as sitting all day and lacking in movement does no good for your body.

So if you want to change this situation and include exercises into your office routine, you can! There are easy and simple work exercises that you and your colleagues can do religiously.

CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING FOR COOL IDEAS. 1.

SEATED LEG RAISES

Tone up your legs and abdominal muscles with seated leg raises that you can do while sitting on a chair or having a meeting. All you need to do is to sit upright, and then straighten your left leg while it remains parallel to the floor. Hold it in place for about 10 seconds. Repeat for your right leg.

Do the seated leg raises for 15 repetitions. As you build your strength and progress with this routine, you can add resistance with a briefcase on your legs while doing it.

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CHAIR DIPS

Find a chair that won’t be rolling away from you for this exercise. Now, start scooting up to the front edge of this chair while putting your legs out just in front of you. Put your hands on either of your hip’s side while your fingers are simultaneously pointing towards the desk.

Get a hold of the chair’s edges with your hands.

Then, get your arms and core working to raise your body up off the chair, and start moving down with your rear-going towards the floor.

Next, push your entire body back up. Do the same routine 15 times and 3 cycles with 15 reps each.

3. SHADOWBOXING

Let out your frustrations and stresses with shadow boxing! It is fun and stress relieving. You can schedule to have it done again during the workday. It can strengthen your cardio muscles while also serving as a good stress relief if

you’re having a bad day. All you have to do is to raise your fist and get into a boxing position (without a sparring partner). Do it away from your computer, and start punching the air. Feel as if you’re punching something frustrating off your life.

Imagine that you’re in front of a punching bag while continuing to punch your fist towards it.

Switch your arms, right to left and left to right.

Repeat the same for about 30 seconds. Pause for five seconds, and then start again. Punch for 30 seconds and repeat as many as you can. You can do it alone or with colleagues.

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STAIR CLIMBING

If you have access to a stair, you can do this climbing exercise with your colleagues come lunchtime. It is a good stress relief because it gets your heart pumping oxygenated blood into your system. It can keep you energised to last the rest of the day.

Stair climbing is one of the best ways to add cardio into your otherwise sedentary office life.

You can make it better by setting a timer as to how many minutes you want to do it. Whether you start with three or five minutes, it doesn’t matter! It will still be good for you.

If you can, you can try to go up and down the stairs faster through running or brisk walking if you don’t want to get too sweaty.

Get to the stairs and take your exercise to the next level!

5. PUSH-UPS

Engage some big muscles with push-ups that can work your deltoids, triceps and pectorals. Push-ups are great workouts that can train and build your endurance and stamina, too.

If you don’t have the massive muscle just yet to perform it the hard way, you can try the easier push-ups with your desk. What to do is to put both hands on your desk with your feet walking away from it until you reach about 45 degrees away from it. Start the modified push up and repeat as many times as you can to the point of exhaustion for the best results.

You and your office colleagues can take advantage of this exercise that you can do in your cubicles during lunchtime.

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PLANKS AND SIDE PLANKS

These exercises train the core, one of the fastest routes to functional fitness and fullbody strength. It builds up your stamina without using any equipment but just your body. It trains not just your core but also your gluteal and back muscles.

From a regular plank, you can rotate to a side plank performed on either side. Make sure to hold each position for 30 seconds.

Do at least two sets for the best results.

If you want to keep it subtle because you’re self-conscious, you can still do planks and work your abdominal muscles. Contract your abs and hold it for about 30 seconds.

Repeat for a few times.

Do it with your colleagues during break time and be healthier and productive!

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WALL SITS

Considered as one of the simplest exercises to do in the office with colleagues, wall sitting will work your endurance and strength.

To do it, stand against the wall with your back on it, and then start sliding it down while bending your knees. Stop bending when you have your thighs parallel to the floor. Remain in the position for about 60 seconds. Repeat the same steps a couple of times as you can.

There is no excuse for being fit! No matter how busy our lives are, we can still sneak in easy and simple exercises into our office routine with our colleagues. You don’t need an hour or two a day just to work out because it is still healthy for you even if you only have a few minutes to spare for it.

Exercising in the office, you don’t just stay healthy, but you also relieve stress and stay energised. Do these office workouts today!

TRAVEL

THE WORLD’S

TOP 16 BREATHTAKING BEACHES Concrete jungles are expanding immeasurably; square meters by a week, filling the base of skylines with geometric silhouettes- yes, a man-made world. As it strides in its growth, nature calmly wavers in the background; offering refuge when one seeks to vacate the fissures of consumerism and its fabricated byproducts. This refuge can be found on the fine scattered sands, engulfed sequentially by the colour-varying waters. The bewildering, continuity of the ocean; exuding a breath of higher aesthetic, enjoyed by all at the beach.

Here are 15 well-selected beaches from around the world that are worth the visit.

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JIBEI ISLAND BEACH, TAIWAN

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RAUÐASANDUR BEACH, ICELAND

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PINK SAND BEACH, BARBUDA

Known as the unexplored beach in Taiwan, Jibei is somewhat an untouched part of Taiwan’s western islands. The 1.5 km strip is embraced by calm turquoise waters and due to its secluded positioning tourists travel by boat from a North Sea Tourist Centre to experience the naturally decorative orientation of the island. It is important to heed the fact that the island isn’t unpopulated; it has residents who offer essential commodities and services to travellers.

Located in a remote part of the Westfjords of Iceland, the Rauðasandur beach is notorious for its red sands which is actually the English translation of its name. The red sand is due to triturated scallop shells, that are only admired by few as the Westfjords are seldom visited. The romance of imagery between the mimicry of desert sands, the Cambridge blue sea and the jagged rocks, all framed by the extensive mountain range is truly a living work of art.

The pastel pink echoing across the Barbuda sand serves as a worthy landmark and a desirable place to visit. The wondrous pink sand is the result of crushed corals that have been ground into fine sand. Barbuda isn’t as crowded as most Caribbean Islands, and there are many occasions where the 12km Island is without people, so one can have the glorious pink sand to themselves.

PLAYA MANUEL ANTONIO, COSTA RICA

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GANTHEAUME POINT, BROOME, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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DOLFYNSTRAND, NAMIBIA

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Manuel Antonio National Park is a cherished family destination where a variety of rainforest inhabitants can be admired namely; the threetoed sloths and white-faced capuchin monkeys.

These marvellous creatures are a few of many inhabitants of the lively forest that fences the beach sands allowing the ultramarine waters to emerge; crashing onto the coastal rainforest. This destination offers an array of activities for all ages like; snorkelling, hiking and zip-lining to name but a few.

An expanse of white beach sand adorned with rugged, copper-red rock cliffs given over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Gantheaume Point is a breathtaking attraction.

Not only popular for its photogenic composition but as well as its fascinating landmarks and on-site activities namely; kayaking tours, fishing charters, whale watching, extended cruises, lighthouses and the exhibition of real dinosaur footprints.

Whether one wants to spend the day relaxing or swimming or cracking a cold one with friends and family, there is something for everyone at Gantheaume Point.

Whilst being home to the oldest desert on the planet, Dolfystrand is a few minutes from Namibia’s notorious Walvis Bay. What makes this destination unique is its residual seal colonial composition, shipwrecks and boat materials can be spotted on the beach, expelling a romantic ambience as the sunlight touches the ruin. The area is home to a small population who are noted for their sport fishing.

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TORTUGA BAY, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, GALÁPAGOS

Comprising of black lava rock, ghost-white sand, and gaggles of marine iguanas, Tortuga Bay is the closest one can get to a dream-like experience.

It’s 3km out of the main town of Puerto Ayora, and the hike can be sweltering and muggy, but upon arrival, one can be enthralled by sharks patrolling the shallows and crimson-red crabs scurrying across the sands, then to cool off with a bit of a swim among the mangroves.

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ILE AUX CERFS, MAURITIUS

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HIDDEN BEACH, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES

Ile aux Cerfs has become somewhat of a dupe of its own renowned beauty, much of it swamped with conspicuous crowds and bothersome beach pebbles. However, a half a mile hike down the beach and the worthy reward of incredible island sands awaits.

While It’s not as hidden as before, this beach holds onto its accolade of being one of the world’s best.

Palawan is bursting with immaculately delightful sites although Hidden Beach is hemmed in by intruding limestone overhangs and with astonishingly ivory-white sand, it is separated from the turquoise ocean by a small entrance, through which tourists must use in order to gain access to the lagoon.

SEAGRASS BAY, LAUCALA ISLAND, FIJI

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CHESTERMAN BEACH, VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA

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PRAIA DO SANCHO, BRAZIL

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Laucala is a private-island sanctuary lavished in tropical jungle canopies and accessible through guided walking tours or horseback safaris. The island is a magnificent spot of immeasurable grandeur, home to some of Fiji’s scarcest birds, multitudes of marine life and mesmerising beaches. Seagrass Bay is the most serene and lovely; counter to that adventure and thrill await slightly further the off-shore where one can get up close to the magnificent sea-life in a submersible craft.

A natural beauty, Chesterman’s broad expanse of smooth sand – freckled with huge driftwood logs and fringed by a wolf-filled forest – is well-met by devoted surfers and strollers when the tide wanes.

It’s overlooked by the fabulous Wickaninnish Inn, an impressive accommodation location and shelter to keep an eye out for passing sea otters when inflated storm clouds progress.

Proudly holding the title of ‘consistently voted one of the world’s best beaches’. Praia do Sancho is also one of the hardest beaches to access- the exclusivity is understandable though. Flights from mainland Brazil take approximately an hour; then one must hike, squeeze through narrow rock tunnels and go down steep ladder steps to be embraced by the golden sands crowned with magnificent palms. There is an environmental tax to be paid to be allowed access, as the area is a National Park. Access to its deserted shoreline, giant hulking iguanas and fish-speckled shallows are worth the effort.

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MARATHONISI, ZAKYNTHOS, GREECE

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DIE PLAAT, WALKER BAY NATURE RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA

Affectionately referred to as Turtle Island, the flawless white-sand island of Marathonisi is an essential nesting spot for the endangered loggerhead sea turtles, and so visitors are to stay within five metres of the water to avoid troubling them. Enjoy the pine-scented air before engaging in activities such as; exploring surrounding sea caves by snorkel or boat (equipment isn’t supplied) for all you’ll find is nothing but seals, turtles and forests.

Being neighbours with South Africa’s ‘whale Capital’ Hermanus, Die Plaat is a ruggedly beautiful ribbon of sand bordered by chunky limestone ridges. It isn’t a rare occasion to spot the southern right whale basking offshore or chubby seals slouching on the rocky shoreline; below them, the ground cluttered with large, lustrous ear-shaped shells. Alongside the amazing sights the beach has to offer, there’s history to be acknowledged, as the beach is home to Klipgat Cave, a cavity inhabited by bats and Middle Stone Age people approximately 85 000 years ago.

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DUNE DU PILAT, FRANCE

In the summertime, Europe’s towering sand dune is enveloped in a glistening heat haze, giving the illusion that the Dune Du Pilat is scattered with precious metals. The sand forms peaks, of what resembles finely milled flour, staggering as high as 91.4km. The neighbouring Arcachon Bay extends kilometres of beaches apt for exploring, accompanied with an array of huts where local fishermen set up tables to serve seafood and native delicacies.

SEVEN MILE BEACH NEGRIL, JAMAICA

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The iconic Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica, is the embodiment of the ideal tropical setting. The beach is known for stretching a large distance as well as the variety of activities that one can take part in. The beach holds an original duality in that it caters for a multitude of ambiences; so, whether you’re looking for a rustic and romantic atmosphere or an indulgent luxury impression, Negril has it all.

FOR THE CULTURE

The Reinvented Chronicles with Yvonne C. Mtengwa

5 TIPS

TO OVERCOME YOUR FEAR OF GETTING STARTED

It finally hits you. Fear. “False evidence appearing real” comes at you from every angle except that nothing about anything you feel seems false. I’ve lived it. You’ve lived it. We all have. The crippling sensation you feel in the pit of your stomach every time you think about finally tackling something that has held you back for so long. The crazy thing about the human mind is that it can think of a million reasons why you should not go after something when the one reason why you should is actually stronger.

Chatting with a friend of mine who is new to UAE, and has been trying to get her driving license notwithstanding that she is already licensed in her country of origin, was telling me she knows how to drive. She’s been driving since she was 18 and is

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now in her mid-30s. But that one incident she had during her driving lessons where a huge haulage truck cut her off at a traffic circle has her convinced that she is better off cabbing her way around the city for the rest of her season in UAE. Me being in chronic calculation mode, got to breaking down what her current costs are for not completing her licensing process.

A moment of vulnerable chatter reminded me of the crippling effect of fear. It’s real, but must be overcome if one has any hopes of moving ahead from life’s pit-stops and sandpits. With that being said, I’ll go ahead and fill you in on my 5 top tips for kicking fear where it needs to be, and getting started on that thing you’ve been contemplating for so long:

Acknowledge, accept, and address. A lot of people don’t want to acknowledge their fears because they believe in doing so, it’s accepting defeat. WRONG. You cannot fix something if you are not willing to recognise and accept for what it is. Ignoring how you feel will not fix the problem. Accept the fact that you are fearful so you can begin working through how you can actually overcome your fear.

Think about everything carefully. Swift action isn’t always the cure. Part of addressing your fear lies in processing what caused it. In the case of my friend, she had a traffic accident before, so when the haulage truck fiasco happened, she had a momentary flashback of the car wreck she survived. What I’m getting at is fear has its triggers such as trauma, previous seasons of crises like illness, severe, lack or perceived failures. Think through what triggered your present fears and begin reliving what it took you to move from that space – if you’ve had overcome the same fear before. Then push through with your findings. Activating a plan with a clear mind always gets you further down the road than going at it without a thought.

Knowledge goes a long way. What if you are afraid of not knowing? You could be applying for your next career, but shying away from

opportunities you could be a good fit for because the title seems way outside your scope of knowledge. Limited understanding is one of the main reasons why a lot of people struggle to conquer their fears. Simply put, you are afraid to venture outside your comfort zone because there’s a lot of stuff you don’t know on the other side of your decision. But how does one learn without taking a chance? How do you grow if you remain content with not moving?

04

Find a fearless tribe. Listen, if you want to conquer fear or just get some wits about yourself, you will need to move with people that will challenge you to be the best version of yourself and who are seasoned in conquering the particular area you are battling with. A baker can’t help you with your fear of dabbling with the stock market unless he or she trades. What I’m getting at is that social groups with shared interests go a long way with encouraging you to fight through your fear. I am a living testimony of connecting with different groups; each of which plays an active role in teaching me something new, standing with me in seasons I need to take a new leap of faith or simply cheering me on from the sidelines. The operative word here is that they too are “fearless” – and not lurking around you to support you in your inability to move forward.

05

Visualise the overcomer in you. Now friends, no effort you will ever make will count for anything if you don’t actually see yourself on the other side of your fears. That’s right. If you don’t see it, then it’s highly unlikely that you will achieve it – unless “luck” is your middle name and the heavens are chronically smiling down on you. Even if that is the case, some work put in on your “belief-barometer” will go a long way. Whether you need to watch a couple of Youtube videos of people who have conquered the same fears you have or need to attend a few workshops on the same subject, the ultimate victory really lies in your seeing yourself having conquered your challenge.

Whether you define fear by one of the many acronyms that are out there – “false evidence appearing real” or something a little more inspirational like “face everything and rise” – critical to a change is an acknowledgement of where you are and what you need to do to get to your next best. Only winners admit the constant nature of change and put every effort forward to ensure that fear doesn’t become their Achilles heel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yvonne Chiedza Mtengwa is the author of “Reinvented: Challenging insecurity to live authentically through faith”, a book encouraging women to confront their issues with relationships, insecurities and self-fulfilling prophesies, in an effort to truly discover who they were created to be. It’s available for download on https://payhip.com/b/Oi7Y#!

She is also a co-author of Amazon Bestseller “Dear Fear Volume 2: 18 Powerful Lessons on Living your best life on the other side

of Fear”- a compilation of short stories by American visionary author Tiana Patrice.

Passionate about travelling, writing about and experiencing leisure and lifestyle brands, Yvonne is a marketing and communications strategist, is the Cofounder of www.Quintessentialf.com, a Christian lifestyle movement for women, and also runs www.yournarratives.com, a boutique communications agency specialising in entrepreneurial design and shaping the narrative of women-led lifestyle and social development brands.

Check her out on IG on @quintessentially_yvonne or visit and subscribe to her website on www.ReinventedToday.com for more tips on everyday reinvention.

You would think that someone like me, having a background with years of experience in education and mental health, would be able to overcome battles with stress, anxiety, and depression swiftly. As I always say, every good therapist must have his or her own therapist. It is almost impossible for one mind, one body, and one soul not to be affected by the struggles in which others come to you, hoping that you can provide pathways towards their healing. I have been battling depression since I was 12 years old. Being raised in the religious South (USA) and being a son of a well-known national evangelist, mental health was not only taboo, but every mental issue or disorder was viewed as a spirit or demon that needed to be cast out.

Close family members suddenly started dying one after the other. Telling me that they are in a better place and that I’d see them again soon

PUTTING YOURSELF IN

THE DRIVER’S SEAT if I lived, saved, did more harm than good. The pressure to live and be saved so that I wouldn’t spend eternity in the lake of fire was a heavy burden, but as a pastor’s son, I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t be of the world as they would say, but little did I know that it was indeed the world that would save me.

There were many times when I was just told to pray about it and give it to God. I remember praying to God while having anxiety attacks at the same time. Religious indoctrination, or as I call it, abuse, was one of the root causes of my depression. After my father passed away, I began to self-medicate. No one knew because I trained myself to master the art of wearing, Paul Laurence Dunbar’s proverbial mask. I never allow myself to look like what I’ve been through, but one day, I decided that I had to rescue myself. I had to deliver myself from my own self because I became my own enemy. During graduate school, I decided to go on a research

tour in Nepal. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but my soul told me that I needed to do this for me. This was more of a spiritual trip that would lead to my healing.

In Nepal, I learned so much about the power of life and death from both a spiritual and a scientific perspective. Experiencing and gaining knowledge about life and death from the Buddhist and Hindu perspective provided me with the tools that I needed to heal myself. A week had passed before I noticed that I had spent my entire time there eating plant-based meals. I was sleeping better and waking up at 6:00 AM, full of energy. I was able to write again.

I would go for long runs and stop to speak to the people in the village who were so amazed and curious at the sight of someone like me. At the time, I didn’t realise that I needed to heal from all the hatred and struggles that I faced because of having a different race in America. To them, I was exotic. People found my skin and wavy hair beautiful. They were interested in getting to know me and my culture. Instead of being afraid of me, they welcomed me in their homes.

On my birthday, I literally spent the day at a crematorium. I watched families mourn as their loved ones were placed on elaborate platforms and set ablaze in front of the holy Bagmati River. Those who were poor on the left side and those who were in the upper caste on the right. I watched as the birds ate the food that families made for the deceased to enter the other realm. I realised that no matter the caste, their ashes fell into the same river. I watched as the homeless kids dived into the river to collect pieces of gold to sell in the market for money. At that point, I understood that there was no such thing as death. The adult me had realised the true meaning of the circle of life. Nepal was the first time I had felt God. After returning to the United States, my soul was refreshed. I felt like I had been introduced to myself for the first time. However, I still have a different race living in America. The constant murdering of unarmed men like me sent me into a depression. I decided to book a flight to Haiti to visit my family. That experience allowed me to fully understand the power and the spirit of our race. Haiti became the first black republic in the western world after former slaves defeated the major European colonial powers of that time. I learned about the traditional African religion, Voudon. My people rejected the

religion that was given to them by their masters and used their traditional spiritual system from Africa to gain their freedom. For most of my life, I was taught to reject anything other than Christianity, especially anything that comes from Africa. Yes, I was taught to hate and reject what was my history, heritage, culture, etc. In Haiti, I finally decided that I wasn’t going to run from who I was or what I’m meant to be.

After years of working in the education and mental health field and dealing with the systems that were less beneficial to our race, I had enough. I was tired of asking people to change something that was intended to benefit them and place barriers around us. In 2016, I quit my job as a Behavioral Therapist and started Brother’s Against Racial Stereotypes (BARS) Institute Inc. BARS is an education intervention, youth empowerment, and exploratory learning institute for boys of colour. We also provide mentoring and counselling for those who aren’t provided with spaces to deal with pain, poverty, loneliness, rejection, racism, school to prison pipeline, mis/over-diagnosed, being fatherless, and other similar

issues. They go through rigorous physical and mental training in order to understand, as well as what it means to, sculpt your mind with the knowledge to not only heal themselves but their community. Because travel had become a form of therapy for me, with the help of the community, I was able to take them on empowerment and educational tours in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and Washington DC. I found my purpose. I found something that I was willing to die for.

In 2018, I was asked to speak at the church where many of my father’s ancestors were buried in Natchez, Mississippi.

That day I had decided that I no longer wanted to hide my years of pain. Yes, I was accomplishing a lot for a man my age, but I wanted to take off the mask. I was done riding in the back seat of my own car. I had revealed my long battle with anxiety, depression, and moments of suicidal thoughts to the entire congregation, which was mostly family. Telling my story in a church, a place where a lot of my pain came from and the place where I freed myself was my redemption.

1n 2019, I went to Cuba looking for answers. I want to know more about ancestry and what I needed to do to fully liberate myself. My spirit kept taking me back to my childhood when I would tell my parents and family members that I was going to see the world and live in other countries. Mississippi can be a toxic environment for progressive-minded people. In Cuba, I had the privilege to go to the city of Regla to experience the African-based spiritual system of Santeria or Lucumi. Like Vodou in Haiti, it derives from the Yoruba religion in West Africa. Many things felt foreign to my mind, but familiar to my soul. It was like I had been there before. I sat with a Santeria priestess, and she confirmed that my life was about to change and what I’ve been asking for since I was a child that was coming of age soon.

Something was going to happen that would force me to uproot.

A few months later, the worst happened. One of my students from the BARS Institute was shot and killed while riding his bike. From the first day that I started the institute, I promised those boys that I would give my life for them. I would do whatever I could to protect them. Losing one of them was my worst fear. All my time, money, and energy went towards these people. I wouldn’t sleep or eat until I made sure that they had the resources that they needed to have a chance to compete and even stay alive in this harsh world. Losing my student hit me hard. However, I remembered the many times we’d ride around, and he talked about going to college and travelling the world like me.

That’s when I realised that I had spent most of my life putting others before me. Mississippi was literally killing me. After talking to my therapist,

we both agreed that I was strong enough and ready to make that big move. It was time to put myself in the driver’s seat.

I applied for a job teaching Advanced Psychology in Dubai and was hired. My friends and frat brothers that were already here had been trying to get me to move here for years. After researching the opportunities and connecting with people who have beautiful and different races who are prospering here, I said yes, to me! The UAE is one of the safest countries in the world and out of all the African-American men that I have talked to that live here, none of them have expressed interest in wanting to go back to the United States.

It has been my dream to make BARS Institute an international exploratory learning program for boys in need. Moving to the UAE has saved my life. My smiles are real, and my soul is at peace. I don’t have to wait until I get to heaven or go on to glory to be happy.

I’m finally able to live for myself, but also still able to take my misery and turn it into my ministry.

As I told my father, I too have a message, but it won’t come from the pulpit. While mental health is becoming a priority in the UAE, there is still work to be done. I’ve created the SCREAM Initiative, which will provide mentorship, mental health retreats and counselling referral services for teenagers here in Dubai. I want to empower young people to have the courage and audacity to put themselves in the driver’s seat.

When it comes to your life, you don’t need a licence to drive. You are the authority and the conductor of your life. You are the master of your fate. You are the captain of your soul. Let’s ride!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joshua Quinn is an educator and mental health professional from Jackson, Mississippi. He recently moved to Dubai to teach Advanced Psychology and History, and expand his business, BARS Institute Inc. BARS is an education intervention, youth empowerment, and exploratory learning institute for underrepresented boys.

JOSHUA QUINN

SOLO

PARENTING IN THE MODERN ERA

CHALLENGES OF THE MODERN ERA Children are blessings sent from above. Every stage of their lives gives us surprises and happiness. Their arrivals are life-changing experiences that shape us into better persons. Children are unconditional lovers, with innocent eyes that they took on their loving parents. When it comes to grooming children to function in these modern times, the job becomes even more difficult as times change.

Having a partner to help you with these tasks should make parenting easier, but what if you're the sole breadwinner of the family?

Parents are the driving force behind the mental, emotional and spiritual formation of their offspring. Their morals should be relayed and explained, as children will initially take on their parents’ perspectives and how they view the world. However, the modern age presents a challenge to us parents, as we may have a hard time guiding our children closely because of the information on the Internet

that children can have access anytime. We need to find a way to teach our children that not everything that they see online is helpful in their development. How do we, as parents, compete with the Internet? How do single parents help their children grow while striving to put food on their table? There is no correct answer in parenting but, still, we’ll be sharing ideas on how we can lead them properly to shape their future.

PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO CHILD-REARING Single parents must strike a balance between the behaviourist and constructivist approach to childrearing. Parents need to strike a balance between these psychological approaches. Providing food, clothes, shelter and other basic amenities are immeasurably hard to give together with guidance and securing children from unwanted sources of information. During the past decades, our parents did not have to worry about technology and its effects when guiding us into the path of righteousness.

A lot of what we knew as facts were only seen in books and stories told to us which were only expanded by our imagination.

Discipline has to be key to your methods. You have to lead the way, for example, as to being mature in social media and using the Internet properly, or choosing the appropriate music they listen to. Introduce child-friendly and credible websites to get information. Teach them the expectations and limits of the Internet. Even if you're a solo parent, modern technology can help you in rearing your children excellently.

It is understandable that time is limited if you’re a solo parent. It is important to budget your time between yourself and your children’s development. Time wasted will lead to negative effects but time managed correctly will lead you to a fulfilled life. Even with a hectic schedule, you need to let your children know of your presence and support all the time. In that way, they will have the feeling of comfort and assurance that you’re always by their side.

We all know that the Internet and technologies have bad sides. Protecting them by filtering and censoring the information they can access to will help. However, it doesn’t mean that we will hide the reality of the world to them. Adjusting the proper knowledge and information to their age is the key ingredient to keep their minds on the right track.

JEROME DOUGLAS

Another use of technology that can help solo parents

are the CCTVs and cameras in securing your house and children. Of course, even with these devices, we can’t let the children stay at home by themselves. Asking a family member or hiring a nanny to look after them is still the best. Installing a camera at your home will give you a sense of security, and you will be able to see the activities of your children and their caretakers. Be sure to use these devices to take care of your children and not invade their own privacy.

Entertainment is easy to do in the modern era; however, we must teach them that the company of friends and family is more important than gadgets. It is our responsibility to supervise them on what they can watch or listen to because the Internet can be easily accessed. Children are prone to be exposed to peer pressure, bullying and being drawn to people who will try to distract their minds in the wrong track.

In conclusion, being a single parent is a difficult task, and it will more or less take an emotional and even physical toll on your body. It’s normal to be tired, moody and worried.

Yet, that is still not an excuse to take a break from your role modelling and other responsibilities. Technology, on the other hand, can be our friend or enemy on parenting.

Giving the children the right explanation for everything is the key to help them understand the pros and cons of the modern era. With the proper supervision, gadgets and devices can be our advantage. However, keep in mind that technology can never replace a good parent to our beloved little ones.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jerome Douglas is a 27-year old trained teacher, poet and writer from the beautiful island of Jamaica. His personal philosophy is “If it is for me to be, then it is up to me.” He attended the Catholic College of Mandeville in Jamaica. Additionally, he is a community builder and humanitarian who volunteers his time to help with the academic and social well-being of people in his Central Jamaica community and surrounding areas.

BOOK REVIEW: THE UNTETHERED SOUL

BY MICHAEL SINGER

The Untethered Soul explains how you can harness your inner energy by untying yourself from your ego. It is focused on expanding your being beyond your limits and boundaries. With million copies in print, this New York Times bestseller catapulted to fame when Oprah interviewed Michael Singer, the book’s author, in 2012.

The first four chapters are building blocks of this book. Though it may seem rather relaxed in pacing, the author discussed comprehensively how we, as individuals, are not simply represented by the abstractions in our minds because we are, in a sense observers too. Hence, when asked who we are, we list our titles and accomplishments, but that is only a shell of who we truly are. Only when you awaken with this kind of mindset, that’s the only time you can go onto the next step: to show the real you.

The next two parts are the heart of the book.

Not all of us will concur with the thoughts of the author in these sections. He describes that events in one’s life cannot be traumatic; instead, the response that one has towards these events is what makes them traumatic. He goes on to say that most of the time, we hold on to sentiments and stifle them down in our hearts, where the pain festers and consumes us. We need to allow our emotional energy to pass through us freely and not be damaged in the process.

“Events don’t determine whether or not you’re going to be happy.

They are just events. You determine whether or not you are going to be happy.”

Those who have experienced a life-changing incident, which most of us encounter at some point in our lifetime, cannot agree that dark, depressing events cannot be painful. To speak of loss as though it is not hurtful and to act through it without accepting it for what it is, seems unnatural as a human reaction.

The fourth part, going beyond, is all about

bringing the walls down. According to Singer, we become limited in our spiritual growth by holding on to our pain and the false personas we build for ourselves. He then introduces you to go on your spiritual journey and in the process, peel away the layers you have wrapped around yourself.

The final few chapters talk in-depth about our fear of death and how to deal with it. The author says that death is what gives life meaning, so we should reflect upon it often. Knowing that you could be gone any moment should be the single most motivating factor to get you focused on what you really should be doing in life. If there is something that you want to do in your life, chances are, now is the best time to do it. We are not certain what the coming time may hold, so make up your mind and act on it now.

Of course, one could always take the meaning of death being at your doorstep as a reason to not do anything at all. What is the purpose of it all, one may ask? But life is for living, and what is the aim of living in mediocrity?

After all, we are here to experience joy and contentment. Singer talks about inner energy, and how it is better to let it all flow through us and not let events in our lives block it. Negative thoughts, apprehensions and fear can all obstruct our chi, and we will only be able to release ourselves and attain freeness of spirit if these hurdles are done away with.

The Untethered Soul asks some important questions we ought to think deeply about. Who are you? What is holding you back? Are you ready to let go and accept positive energy into your life? Though it talks about the very core of our existence, it is a lighthearted book, and there are moments where you will chuckle.

By tapping into powerful techniques like yoga and mindfulness, Singer shows how our consciousness can empower us to live in the present moment with openness and free inner energy. This book wishes you happiness and liberation.

WIN FOOD FOR THE BRAIN

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One lucky winner will receive both books.

Draw date: February 29, 2020

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