James Smith’s Info Serv

Living with strangers, or even friends, can be challenging - especially if it’s your first time living away from home. While you can introduce a ‘family’ atmosphere to an apartment full of strangers, it’s important to realize that new boundaries apply.

Living with Friends vs. Strangers

Living with friends can either be a very rewarding experience or a very trying experience, depending on your relationship history.

Some of the benefits of living with friends include knowing whether or not they’re reliable. You have an idea of their financial history and whether you can trust them to pay the apartment rent on time.
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Almost everyone have heard the hit single ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying its message of being happy to everyone. Bobby Mcferiin’s simple message surely made a lot of people by telling them not to worry.

Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is wonderful, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and stroke.

One of the better things ever said is - ‘The only thing in life that will always remain the same is change’, and in our life we have the power to make the necessary changes if we want to. Even if we find ourselves in an unbearable situation we can always find solace in the knowledge that it too would change.

Social networks or relationships are essential to happiness. People are different, accept people for who or what they are, avoid clashes, constant arguments, and let go of all kinds of resentments. If arguments seem unavoidable still try and make an effort to understand the situation.
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“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

- Viktor Frankl

Attitude is everything. Yes, Everything.

It is more vital than events. It’s more important than what’s happened. Because attitude determines whether we are happy or unhappy, fulfilled or empty, the positive perspective assures us that we can never fail. A hopeful attitude guarantees internal success. Attitude- the altitude adjuster determines whether we fly high or low, crash or soar, glide or slide.

Anybody can have a positive attitude when things are going well. What really matters is its how you act when things are going badly that determines the strength of your character. An appropriate attitude means feeling hopeful in challenging times. Stop yourself. Count your blessings. Look for the good. Here are the magnificent 7 ways to improve your attitude:
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It’s hard enough to come to terms with the actual impact of abuse, but the side effects just add to the weight of recovery.
The impact on self belief and confidence can be massive. It can also make a huge dent in self-respect. It becomes all to easy to withdraw into a world of self-abuse - drugs, food, alcohol and other substances that harm the body - when you feel pretty worthless.

I’m not sure there is an easy route to overcoming abuse. For me, abuse was a dark place covered in layers of webbing I didn’t really understand. Sometimes I’d behave in a way that wasn’t warranted by a situation and not know why. Other times I’d shrink into the background and hope no one would notice me. Sometimes, for days, I’d go into a black mood and just want to avoid contact with the world.
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Of all the words in the English language, you might be surprised that the first, most empowering word for me as a woman is two simple letters: No! Learning to say no was a huge step in overcoming my internal good girl and claiming my boundaries as an adult woman.

One lesson women typically have a difficult time with is establishing boundaries. As little girls, most of us were never taught how to say, No, This is what I want. Think, for example, how Meg Ryan’s character in the movie When Harry Met Sally was treated when she asked for her salad or her pie a la mode just so. If people love you, that sort of behavior is endearing or cute, so long as it doesn’t embarrass anyone or cause them pain or inconvenience. Everyone else finds it really annoying.

Heaven forbid if we take up too much room or interrupt someone. We’re taught to get out of the way, serve everyone before ourselves, and to be mindful of other people’s feelings. Furthermore, we’re taught to treat others the way we want to be treated and they’ll notice and return the favor. No muss. No fuss. No risk. Right? In a perfect world, that may be true. But who lives in a perfect world?
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