The Need For Hope In A World Gone Crazy, And Some Preparation

Do you know the saying: “expect the best, prepare for the worst”? In a world where nationalism is on the rise, the internet seems to be solely focused on selling your data to companies, where some even suggest we are living in a “post-truth” era, it might seem easier just to give up and despair. You don’t even have to go far to be confronted with the worst of humanity and existential threats that are looming over humankind. It’s people denying climate change when clearly the planet’s weather has become more erratic. It’s seeing politicians choosing for business and the wealthy, while the middle class gets decimated and the gap between the haves and have-nots keeps getting bigger. It’s everything you would consider just and fair, being hollowed out bit by bit.

Photo by Ben Rosett on Unsplash

Now, you will have two options, either give up and let it all wash over you, or work through the pain. There is a lot to say for the power of hope in these examples. Hope is the belief that the circumstances will get better. It’s not just mere wishing, it’s an actual belief that things will turn out alright. It’s being faced with life-changing adversity but still knowing you will come out on the other side. It’s losing everything you hold dear at the age of 50 and still believe you can start all over again. It’s being told to have a life-altering disease, but still making the most of things.

But in the context of hope (or lack of), it’s not always about these tentpole events in life. It could also be just a lingering feeling. It could be the feeling of not mattering in the greater scheme of things. Think of people who go to work every day, clock in and out, but have been so disconnected from things because of a sense of futility. It could also just be the prospect of better things to come, such as a promotion. And hope or lack of has real-life impact. In a study of mechanical and electrical engineers at a Fortune 100 tech company, the high-hope engineers, on average, missed less than three days of work in twelve months.  The low-hope engineers missed, on average, more than ten days of work in that same period of time.

So hope plays a role when we are faced with significant setbacks in life, or it can be a lingering sense of being stuck somewhere. When dealing with adversity or the sense of “being stuck,” you can see people fall into two basic categories. One is the category of psychological victims. These individuals are passive, pessimistic, and look to the past. They ask, "Who will help me?" They despair and are all consumed by their loss, refusing to help themselves. The other category is one of the psychological survivors. These people are active, optimistic, and look to the future. They ask, "How can I help myself?" They grieve, which is healthy, but they continue to persevere and fight.

If you would apply this to yourself, when facing adversity, you should try to avoid being pushed into the victim role and switch your mindset to surviving. Some people would call this a fight or flight mechanic. If you see other dealing with adversity, let them grief, but also try to help them on their way again. The key to switching from victim to survivor is understanding that the initial step is the hardest one. When in a victim mindset, it will be harder to see silver linings, and when you are in a survivor mindset, you will automatically grasp at any opportunity to see glimmers of hope. This is a way is the hardest and most fascinating thing about a hope, how the momentum of hope accelerates people in, well, being more hopeful.

The positive physiological effects of hope are well-documented, most eloquently in Jerome Groopman's "The Anatomy of Hope," where he writes: “Belief and expectation -- the key elements of hope -- can block pain by releasing the brain's endorphins and enkephalins, mimicking the effects of morphine. In some cases, hope can also have important effects on fundamental physiological processes like respiration, circulation, and motor function.”

Groopman's research showed that during the course of illness, belief and expectation (two mental states associated with hope) have an impact on the nervous system which, in turn, sets off a chain reaction that makes improvement and recovery more likely. This process, he points out, is fundamental to the widely accepted "placebo effect," which is created by a hopeful outlook.

And as great hope is, it can’t be the only thing you rely on. There is no harm in preparing for the worst. This could mean having the right insurances in place, making you sure have savings or have a wrongful death attorneys at your service if the situation calls for it. It’s like general “Mad Dog” Mattis legendary quote on meeting new people: “be polite, professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.” Of course, the context is a military one, but the sentiment is one that extends to regular life as well. Expect a positive attitude from everyone, but be prepared for the worst.

It’s hoping for a promotion at work, but also having alternatives if that doesn’t happen. It’s making sure the bills are paid before you go on a spending spree. It’s organizing a BBQ as the weather forecast is looking good, but have a plan B if the heavens open up. It’s fighting the good fight against climate change, but not be disheartened when you can’t change people’s minds. It’s trying to follow your dreams, persists but also know you can evolve if things don’t pan out.

And that’s where we are right now. It’s no longer the era of unlimited hope and the sky being the limit. It’s also not the time of doom and gloom. Being faced with existential threats, the disappearance of the middle ground and the public discussion being held from the extreme wings, the only way through is to keep the hope, but also don’t get taken for a fool.

How To Have A Great Date Night

Special occasion coming up? First date? Or a romantic celebration in order? Then you need to make sure that you can have a great date night. But what shall it be? Let’s take a look.

Do Something Active

First of all, if you’re looking for a different kind of date night to what you’re used to, then why not do something active? Sometimes, it’s really fun to be able to think outside the box and try something new. From go-karting to rock climbing, and everything else in between, this could be the perfect way to have some fun!

Enjoy A Delicious Meal

If you’re a foodie, or you want to be able to enjoy each other’s company and have a good conversation, then going to a restaurant is always a good idea. However, you are going to want to think about the kind of restaurant that you want to visit, as well as what sort of cuisine may go down well. Either way, if you book somewhere special, you’ll often know that you’re going to have a good time.

See A Show

Finally, you may also want to go and see a show too. Now, we all know that you could go to the cinema and see one of the latest films, but you do that regularly, it may not feel all that special. However, when you decide that you want to enjoy a nice date night, then going to the theatre is often perfect. However, what should you see? Take a look at the below infographic to help you to decide.
Infographic Design By theatre tickets

Scary Vehicle Recalls you Should Know About

Disclosure:  This is a guest post.  This is important information that I think you need to know, so  I am more than happy to share this with you!

Driving can be dangerous enough with a perfectly safe (and perfectly working) vehicle. One thing that usually doesn’t even cross a motorist’s mind is a fear that their vehicle will suddenly malfunction causing a life-threatening traffic accident. Unfortunately, this is something that all people who own, lease, or just drive a vehicle need to think about. Cars are not perfect, and neither are the people – or machines – that build them.

Below, we will cover some of the biggest, scariest recalls that happened so far in 2019.   Hopefully, these ten recent recalls won’t claim thousands of lives like the five deadliest vehicle defects in history did. Since many factors go into how deadly and far-reaching a recall can be, the below defects are not ranked, but rather listed in alphabetical order by brand.

#1 – Audi: Leaking Fuel

Number of Recalls: 75,000 Vehicles

Audi began notifying registered owners of the recalls in their 2015-2018 A8s and 2016-2018 A6s, A7 hatchbacks and Q7 SUVs. This defect, involving 75,000 vehicles in the U.S. alone, involved the left and right fuel rails which were found to leak fuel, which is extremely dangerous around any ignition source. The smallest spark, static, or even just a hot surface (like the pavement on a summer day) could cause this vehicle to catch on fire.

#2 – Chevrolet: Steering Problems 

Number of Recalls: 113,000 Vehicles

The smallest crossover from Chevy, the Trax, is experiencing a recall. It involves the Trax CUVs that were manufactured from July 1, 2017, to April 4, 2019. The reason for this recall is that the front lower control arms that connect the wheel to the chassis have been found to not be properly welded together. Therefore, these essential control arms can separate, making the driver unable to properly steer the vehicle.

#3 – Chrysler: Power Losses

Number of Recalls: 198,731 Vehicles

The popular family car, the Pacifica minivan, has a recall affecting the models that were manufactured between 2017 and 2019 due to an electrical issue. A portion of the battery assembly has been found to have faulty wiring, which can cause the vehicle to lose power. When this happens, the power steering will stop working and the engine can fully stall out.

#4 – Ford: Rolling Away

Number of Recalls: 822,500 Vehicles

In July of 2018, Ford recalled 550,000 Fusion and Escape vehicles built from 2013 to 2016 due to issues with the shifter cables. It turns out, Ford didn’t recall enough. They are adding 270,000 Fusions built those same years at the Flat Rock and Hermosillo Plants and 2,500 Rangers built in March 2019 at the Michigan Plant. All of these vehicles have the same major problem: a faulty gearshift that can cause the vehicle to spontaneously come out of park and roll away.

#5 – Honda: Deploying Airbags

Number of Recalls: 118,000 Vehicles

The 2019 Honda CR-V has already injured three passengers due to its airbags randomly blowing up in their faces. The manufacturer has explained this unexpected deployment to be caused by metal burrs in the steering wheel that makes the airbags overheat. Faulty Takata airbags inside Honda vehicles killed 13 people in the United States not too long ago, so it’s concerning to hear that the same deadly malfunction is happening again.

#6 – Mazda: Inoperable Wipers

Number of Recalls: 187,798 Vehicles

2016-2018 Mazda 3s are being recalled (106,756 are 2016s) because of windshield wipers that stop working due to loss of electricity to the motor. The worst part: Mazda was notified of this problem back in 2015. It wasn’t until April 2019 that a Quality Audit Committee got to the root of the problem. Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by June 3, 2019—hopefully before one of them gets stuck in a rainstorm with wipers that won’t do their job.

#7 – Ram: Unlatching Tailgates

Number of Recalls: 410,351 Vehicles

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is recalling 1500, 2500, and 3500 Ram pickup trucks with eight-foot cargo beds that were manufactured from 2015 through March 31, 2018. A portion of the power-locking mechanism in the tailgates has been found to break, which will cause the tailgate to unlatch. Whatever is in those huge eight-foot beds – probably the tailgate too –  would be sent flying out across the interstate Final Destination Two style.

#8 – Subaru: Faulty Brake Lights

Number of Recalls: 1.3 Million Vehicles

Yep, that’s right; this recall involves over one million vehicles. 2014-2016 Subaru Forester SUVs, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza wagons, 2008-2014 WRX and STI sedans, and 2013-2017 Crosstrek SUVs are all being recalled due to brake light switches malfunctioning. This defect not only prevents the brake lights from illuminating, but it also can prohibit the ignition from starting (in keyless-entry models), and it can prevent vehicles with automatic transmissions from shifting out of park.

#9 – Volkswagen: Fracturing Coils

Number of Recalls: 56,100 Vehicles

Certain Volkswagen vehicles are experiencing fractures in their rear coil springs. When this happens, the coil can puncture the back tires causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and risking a fatal traffic accident. The models affected are 2017-2019 Golf SportWagens, 2019 Jetta sedans, 2015-2019 Golf hatchbacks, and 2018-2019 Tiguan SUVs.

#10 – Volvo: Detaching Lift Arms

Number of Recalls: 46,000 Vehicles

This is another malfunction that is most treacherous for those driving behind the involved vehicles. With the 46,000 2018 and 2019, Volvo XC60 SUVs affected, in certain conditions and cold temperatures, the tailgate lifting arms and springs can detach. Volvo did the right thing and notified registered owners at the end of January 2019, but the problem is that the new parts aren’t available yet. So, Volvos sporting defective liftgates are most likely cruising all over U.S. roads.

Does your vehicle have a recall?

Deadly vehicle defects are much more common than most people realize. Manufacturers are required by law to notify vehicle owners of recalls—no matter how seemingly trivial, but there is always a significant delay between the first report of a problem and when you will get your letter, email, or phone call. It’s essential that you pay attention to recent recalls on the vehicle you and your loved ones drive. Check out the below websites with recall lookup tools and bookmark one of them so you can quickly run a search on your specific vehicle each month.

Safecar.org
Recalls.gov
NHTSA.gov
carfax.com

Sara Routhier is a Research Specialist and Staff Writer for AutoInsurance.org. In addition to obtaining a degree in Elementary Education, being a public school teacher, family nanny, and tutor, she has over four years experience in the auto insurance industry. Having lost a child herself, Sara is dedicated to spreading the word on traffic fatality causes, educating readers on dangers to avoid, and working towards preventing more unnecessary deaths in America.

Could You Run Your Own Small Business?

For many people, the very idea of running a business is enough to strike terror in their heart. You might feel that this is the kind of thing you can only do if you already have plenty of experience in a given field, or that you need to have a lot of money to get started in the first place. There might, in fact, be many issues that spring to mind when you are considering starting up your own business which can really get in the way of your desire to do so. However, the truth is that just about anyone can effectively run their own small business, and it is something that a lot of people do try their hand at some point in their lives.

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The first thing to note is that you only have to go as far as you want to. If you start to do all that you need to in order to get your business started, and you decide that it is not for you and that you would rather do something else, then there is no obligation. You can simply step aside, and in most cases, you can do that before you have spent any serious money either. Knowing this should make you feel a little less worried, and that might mean that you start to think about this as a real opportunity.

So what are some of the things that you might need to think about if you are to run your own small business? As it happens, there are plenty of ways you might want to approach this. Let’s take a look at a range of the issues which you should focus on, to make sure that you are going to run your business as successful as you would hope.

Passion For The Idea

The thing that is likely to spur you on the most and ensure that you actually get things going is having a passion for the idea that gets the business up and running in the first place. Now, that idea can be anything. It could be a specific product that you know you can create or have made, which you feel would solve a problem for people. It might be that you want to provide some kind of a service that you feel is lacking, and you know is important in some way or another. Or you might be spurred on by the idea you have for the branding, and you just know that a business of that kind and flavor needs to exist. Whatever it is, you need to make sure that you have a real passion for the idea, as ultimately it is that which ensures that it is actually going to be successful. You also need to have that kind of passion if you hope that you are going to be able to enjoy it, which is obviously very important as well.

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A Partner

Although you can, of course, start a business on your own, most people start up with a partner, and there are many good reasons for doing so which you might want to consider. First of all, you will find that when you work alone it is much harder to spur yourself on, whereas when you work with a partner you will be able to ensure that you are going to work as hard as necessary, and you will simply find yourselves encouraging each other to continue. That is hugely powerful and can provide you with the kind of sustenance you need to really get things done in the early days. Having a partner on board also means that you can bounce ideas off of each other, and that is something which you will find enormously valuable too, if only for the reason that you will soon discover what kinds of ideas are not actually going to work. This creative back and forth process is hugely rewarding and is the kind of thing which you will find is going to enable you to come up with some of the best ideas for your business. Having a partner, therefore, makes the quality of the ideas better, as well as making the process of creating them more enjoyable.

Your partner should be someone you can work well with, and who you trust. It is helpful if you are good friends, but there is also much to be said for having a partner who is simply all business and where there is no friendship at all. Whatever works for you. The main thing is that you are happy working with them and that you are both equally excited about the project in hand.

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Compliance

From the very start, you need to be thinking about the law and making sure that you are doing all you need to in order to remain legal at all times. Having a decent compliance process is invaluable here, and the kind of thing that you are going to need to set up as early on as you can. Compliance is simply the process of having processes in place which keep your business legal, and it is something which you will find is likely to help you know what direction you are moving in. There are so many things to consider here, from ensuring that customers are approached properly to keeping your taxes in order. When it comes to keeping the customer safe, there are ways in which people are helping companies of all sizes achieve their KYC obligations, and you will need to look into that. And as for issues to do with tax and so on, you will have to make sure that you registering your business and keeping it above board from the very start.

As long as you focus on these elements, you should find that you can run your own small business, and you might hopefully have a lot of fun in doing so. Running a business can be enormously rewarding if you go about it in the right way, and the most valuable thing is that you are happy to put in the effort needed to make it work.