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"Survival can be summed up in three words—never give up. That’s the heart of it, really. Just keep trying." —Bear Grylls

#mondaymantra When thinking of mantras, you might picture a group of people with their eyes closed repeating sounds like “om”. While “om” is, in fact, a mantra, it’s not the only one. Mantras can be any words or phrases used to promote positive feelings or general well-being. Many people believe that mantras can be good for your mental health. What are Mantras? Mantras are a sound, words, or phrases typically used in mindfulness meditation, a practice for intentionally developing awareness of the mind and body. They help drive out distractions, quiet intrusive thoughts and ground you in the present moment. Although [...]

WHAT IS JUNETEENTH? Juneteenth, a combination of the words June and 19th, is also known as Emancipation Day. It commemorates the day in 1865, after the Confederate states surrendered to end the Civil War when a Union general arrived in Texas to inform a group of enslaved African Americans of their freedom under President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1980, Texas officially declared it a holiday. This year, at least 28 states and the District of Columbia will legally recognize Juneteenth and give state workers a paid day off, according to the Pew Research Center. Although in part a [...]

Pride Month Over the years, gay pride events have spread from large cities to smaller towns and villages worldwide—even in places where repression and violence against gays and lesbians are commonplace. The atmosphere at these events can range from raucous, carnivalesque celebrations to strident political protest to solemn memorials for those lost to AIDS or homophobic violence. In June 2000, President Bill Clinton officially designated June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, in recognition of the Stonewall Riots and gay activism throughout the years. A more-inclusive name was chosen in 2009 by President Barack Obama: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender [...]

Happy Memorial Day! As this weekend approaches, may we reflect on those that served and continue to serve our country for our freedom. Thank you to all our heroes, the brave, that make the USA the land we all love!