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Looking to do home or garden improvements or outdoor ideas? Share the Facebook event to for a chance to win a $25 home depot gift card!! Jacksonville Business Connections invites you to our Home & Garden Expo featuring 70+ vendors at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort April 27th from 11am-3pm. Come Check out new products and speak to local experts! -Featuring over 50 Vendors -Free to the public. Indoor event. -First 50 guests receive FREE Swag bags - Kid Friendly Character Meet & Greets 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Pikatchu Meet & Greet 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM Minion Character Meet & Greet 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM Baymax Character Meet & Greet Thank You to Our Sponsors!! AT&T Casella Sells Real Estate-Florida Homes Realty Fidus Roofing & Construction Atlantic Self Storage Koehler Homes, Inc. Current Vendor List: (This will not reflect any new additional vendors posted after this blog post) Chaunie’s Coffee Cart - Beverages Alpha Foundations - Construction, Renovation CTFO-- Cbd Oils 4U - Gifts, Products Color Street by Ashley - Gifts, Products Origami Owl with Veronica - Gifts, Products Perfectly Posh with Cindy - Gifts, Products Augustina Realty / Prodigy Home Loans- Finance, Real Estate, ..... Dress Your Nest staging & re-design - Finance, Real Estate, Staging Edward Jones - Cory Caplinger - Finance, Real Estate, Mortgage Signature Realty & Management, Inc. - Finance, Real Estate, Mor.... Watson Realty Corp. - Paul Wenglowsky- Finance, Real Estate Don't Slip by Safe Floor Solutions - Flooring Camp Gladiator - Health and Wellness, Fitness Club Pilates St. Augustine - Health and Wellness, Fitness Integrative Health and Allergy Center - Health and Wellness, Fitness Young Living with Diane - Health and Wellness, Fitness Cool Gray Studios - Home Decor All American Gutter Protection - Home Exteriors Thirty-One Gifts with Ginger - Home Organization bARTISANS - Home Products Pampered Chef with Karen - Home Products Saladmaster Cooking Appliances- Home Products Scentsy with Tracy - Home Products Tupperware with Sandra - Home Products HelloFresh - Home Services Bath Fitter - Kitchen, Bath Granite Transformations & Bath Planet - Kitchen, Bath Farmer Feet Land Services - Outdoor Services Monster Tree Service - Outdoor Services Miracle Windows and Sun Rooms - Windows, Screens, Doors ADT Security Services - Security So if you find yourself needing something to do, make sure you check out www.jaxbizevents.com and all our planned events for 2019!! Share: Share this article and comment below and receive a free promotional shopping bag!! Stay Updated: Follow the Facebook event to stay updated on all the vendors and fun additions we may add to the event! #homeandgardenexpo #jaxbizconnections #jaxbizevents #jaxcommunityconnections

Article written by Blog Post Contributor Maria Maybe you’ve worked with someone who complained a lot or someone in your friend group turned into a “negative Nancy” over time. Perhaps you have a friend that always seems to have some type of drama going on, and it’s hard not to get roped into it. It can be draining to be around that negativity. Maybe you’ve heard the term “toxic relationship” or “toxic person”. If you’ve been following this series, we’ve been talking about things we do that hurt our self-esteem. Now we're wrapping up the series with the third thing that can hurt our self-esteem: toxic people. Signs Your Friend, Co-worker, or Relative is Toxic So how can you tell you’re hanging around a negative person? A toxic person can be described by any or all of the following: -complains a lot -doesn’t encourage you -doesn’t provide you with any support -lacks ambition/goals -is never satisfied/grateful for what they have -puts you down/belittles you -yells at you How They Make You Feel In addition, what’s super important to notice is whether, after spending time with this person, you feel any of the following: -sad -frustrated -unmotivated -have a negative outlook -emotionally drained -down on yourself Above all, what’s important is how this toxic person or people affects you and your self-esteem. Here are a few tips on how to deal with a toxic person. How To Cope With a Toxic Person 1. Stop and evaluate whether the person is toxic to you. Use the criteria I mentioned above to start. If they are putting you down, calling you names, or similar, I strongly believe you need to distance yourself from this person as much as you can. This type of behavior could even be considered verbal abuse. 2. Can you talk to the person about your concerns? Maybe no one’s ever told them they complain a lot or that they seem to seek-out drama. If the friendship is valuable to you, I suggest trying to talk to them calmly and from a place of love. Just know that the person may not take it well, but you can’t control that. 3. Give them a little time after the talk to see if they do try to make changes. Then you can decide whether you need to put some distance in between you or not. 4. If the toxic person is a co-worker, I would suggest always being cordial at minimum. Try to keep to yourself, spend time with other co-workers, or get to know someone new at the office. Be open-minded. You may end up with an amazing new friend. 5. Sometimes we grow apart from our friends and that’s okay. Evaluate the pros and cons of the friendship. Are you having fun when you are with this person? Can you rely on them? Do they encourage you and support you? Everyone deals with toxic people at one time or another. Often, we learn from the situation and try not to make the same mistakes again. Focus on surrounding yourself with people that are positive and love you for you. Maria Inoa, LCSW Therapist, Public Speaker, & Blogger www.fullpotentialcounseling.com #moms #momlife #women #selfesteem #selfworth #socialmedia #wellness #stress #family #worklife #friendship #mentalhealth #relationships #depression #anxiety #counseling #therapy #Jacksonville #Florida #jaxbizconnections #guestblogger #jaxcommunityconnections

Article written by Blog Post Contributor by KindofCrunchyHomeschool Last year I sat and listened to a therapist tell me that my second child has learning disabilities. I didn't feel as devastated this time. I had been told this about my first child  years ago and now she is excelling at reading. So, I know it is not a hopeless diagnosis. But it wasn't an easy road to get her to that point, or an inexpensive one! And I did not think we would travel this road again. I don't know why I did not catch it sooner. Maybe it was part denial. He didn't have the same "symptoms" as his sister. I thought he was just not interested, didn't want to sit still, and he would get it when he was ready. But when you teach, and reteach, letters and sounds for years with no real improvements, it is time to admit there is a problem. Dyslexia is something I can't understand. My husband and I were both early readers and excelled in school. I didn't know of anyone growing up with dyslexia. I don't know many now with it. I had never heard of an auditory or visual processing disorder either! When I first heard my children had a problem like this, my first thoughts were "What did I do to cause this? Where did it come from?" Was it something I ate or drank during pregnancy (after all I did drink coke, although it was caffeine free!). Did I take a medication that caused it? Is it because I wasn't able to breastfeed either baby for very long? Is it because they had too many vaccines at a time or too early? Did I give them Benedryl or Ibuprofin too many times as toddlers? Since they both have the same learning disability, I can at least mark out my daughter's fall off my bed at 9 months old (mom of the year award winner here!). I may never know the "why" or understand what it is like to struggle to read. If you are a homeschool mom, maybe you will understand and identify with me. When we made the decision to homeschool, I had brilliant plans in my head! In my imaginary homeschool, the kids could not wait to learn each day! They sat by me enthralled with the great literature I was reading them, well above grade level of course :) We would study great artist and composers and they would beg for more. They might even be one of those homeschool kids who graduate and go to college at age 14! And they would of course diagram sentences for fun and speak Latin to each other like a secret language! And Jane Austen and C.S. Lewis would be their favorite authors. Yeah.....none of that actually happened. Well, we have read some great books! And we have studied some artists! But my imaginary, beautiful, perfect homeschool world hasn't happened. Mostly my fault for not being more disciplined and engaging. Partly because by the time we battled through reading, which often left one of us or both of us in tears, my nerves were shot and the last thing the kids wanted to do was more school! The therapist explained to me why my child protested so much over school time. I just could not understand, having gone to traditional school which lasted 7-8 hours a day, why these kids complained about doing school work at home when they have so much free time afterwards! She told us to imagine we had to go to a class everyday, say calculus or astrophysics (something you don't understand). The teacher talks at you for an hour every day about this topic you just can't get, for years! You tried to pay attention at first. But over time you realized you just could not get it, maybe you felt stupid that you could not understand it, especially if others around you seemed to understand. So after a year or so, you start doing whatever you can to get out of going to this dreadful class and listening to this person ramble on and on about a topic that makes no sense. Maybe you pretend you feel bad, maybe you throw yourself on the floor in tears, maybe you act out and behave badly hoping you get kicked out of class! I kind of understand this, having taken a few college courses that made no sense to me! So now we start all over. Sigh. But in a new way, new methods, more patience. I am enormously thankful that the Lord led us to homeschool our children, for many reasons, but especially because they have learning disabilities. They have been spared feeling different or dumb, compared to kids in class. I have come to realize that you have to celebrate the child you have, not the child you thought you would have. You have to try and understand exactly who they are and who they are supposed to be. I remember my parents being so incredibly proud of me for my successes in school. I was lousy at sports but good at art. Maybe my dad would have been thrilled if I had been athletic or even slightly interested in watching football with him (gag). I am sure my mom would have liked me to discuss poetry and Russian history with her. But they loved me and celebrated my talents and interests. And I must do that with my children too! Because each child has something to give and special qualities. They each have a purpose on Earth unique to them. It is our job as parents to help them reach that purpose. To my fellow moms and dads who have children with disabilities, I pray you have strength and patience. Your children are beautifully and purposefully made. And God picked you to raise them, teach them and love them. You are not alone. Read more about our journey with dyslexia and my favorite curriculum and books for parents at my blog, www.kindofcrunchyhomeschool.wordpress.com Sally Lane author of Kind of Counry Homeschool Blog #dyslexia #parenting #teaching #advice #raisingkids #children #lifelessons #guestblogger #jaxbizconnections #jaxcommunityconnections

$35 Placemat Ad deal for first time businesses! Promote your business in a very affordable way while putting your message in front of over 5 thousand potential leads. Jacksonville Business Connections has partnered up with Cafe Genovese to provide marketing placemats for their cafe. Cafe Genovese is a local cafe that has been around for over 8 years and has built a local following for their friendly service and tasty food. Advertise your event, product, service, etc. that you want the public to see! Benefits: • Excellent Visibility – Over 5 thousand placemats used per month • You Can’t Be Missed – Customers see ads for 10-12 minutes before they get their food • NO Competition Allowed – You have exclusive rights your business segment • No EXTRA charges for color ads • Online Visibility - Ads will be displayed online with links to websites • Use your business card, send us your ad, or let us have a go at creating your ad for you! • Discounts & Promotions for purchasing longer terms Heck Ya, Sign Me Up Now! WIN A FREE AD!! Also you have the opportunity to win a Free Ad! Submit the form below for a chance to win & share your business on the Facebook Event Page #placematadvertising #cafegenovese #jacksonvillebusinessmarketing #jaxbizconnections #jaxbizevents #jaxbixmarketing

Article written by Blog Post Contributor Tabitha Dingler I always look like I have my shit together but in reality I don't and I'm far from it. I went from that Mom who made Christmas happen no matter how broke we were to a person who now has to fight to want to put up a Christmas tree. I went from that Mom who made sure family was the most important part of any Holiday to a person who just couldn't attend family functions. I went from that Mom who always made sure bills were paid, our life was together and I just got shit done and made everything look easy no matter what our struggles. To a person who just can't do any of it any more. I know I look like I do it all, I look like I know what I'm doing but the truth is, I don't. My life, my soul, my heart and my head are all suffering. Not only is it super hard to live without my daughter it is super hard to not be depressed, its hard not to be sad, its hard not to always cry and its just hard to think. If I think about paying bills, working on my business or just anything then the thoughts of my girl not being here creep in and I just can't get anything done. I truthfully try not to think and in doing so has made me forget to do the important things. I am usually a very positive person, I try to look at the positive side of everything, I try to live a positive life, I try to do things that will help me feel better and help others to. The New Year fast approaching not only means a new year it means another year of my girl not being here. It means another year of not seeing her beautiful smile or hearing her laugh or her saying Mom ugh and rolling her eyes. As if that's not bad enough its another year her son doesn't have a Mom and so many other things. This year I didn't even try to fake anything, I bought no presents, I didn't put up a tree and I sent out no Christmas cards. One of our Grandsons spent a few days with us and the first thing he noticed was no Christmas decorations. That did make me sad and I realized that its not just about me. This is my third Christmas without my girl and the first one after her passing I spent it with family like we use to always do. My New Year's Resolution for the last couple of years has been to be a better me, do things differently and be the best I can be. Well this year that will only be part of it. I want to be again that Mom, wife, Grandma, Entrepreneur and bad ass woman who has always gotten shit done! In trying not to think and trying to rebuild my life without my girl I lost sight of who I really am, who I have always been and who I will always be. I thought I had to change because she's gone but the truth is I am me and she was one of the best parts of me. In trying to change my life I actually lost a part of myself. Losing a child is hard, it does change everything, it changes your heart, your soul, it changes everything you do. However it has taken me until right this very moment and writing this to realize I don't have to lose who I am in the process. My life has changed but My life is also amazing, I have done some amazing things this past year, I have grown a lot and into a person it took me 45 years to like and love, I have meet some amazing people and women that have become friends and I am looking forward to the new adventures and life. Tabitha Dingler Pure Romance #women #selfesteem #selfworth #socialmedia #facebook #instagram #pinterest #wellness #mentalhealth #relationships #depression #anxiety #Jacksonville #Florida #jaxbizconnections #guestblogger #jaxcommunityconnections

Article written by Blog Post Contributor Maria In my last post, we talked about how social media can affect our self-esteem. In this post, we are focusing on how our physical health plays an important role in how we view ourselves. We live in an age where you can have virtually anything delivered to your doorstep. I mean, even McDonald’s. It’s as if the idea of “fast food” is no longer fast enough in our society. While this is super convenient and helpful at times, it comes with huge warning bells for our overall physical health. This post will focus on what we put into our bodi es, sleep, exercise, and our appearance. First, let’s talk about the ways our physical health can negatively effect our self-esteem. Habits that Can Contribute to Low Self-Esteem 1. Poor eating habits 2. Drinking too much alcohol 3. Smoking 4. Being sedentary too much of the time 5. Not getting enough sleep 6. Not having a sleep routine 7. Schlopping around in pj’s all day or other worn clothing (unless it’s not the norm and you’re just having a lounge day) Some of the items above you probably struggle with more than the others. That’s okay. I’ve yet to meet a perfect person (including myself). The above list simply plays a part in our overall view of ourselves. If you’re not happy with your weight, then you may not feel good about yourself. If you’re tired and don’t get enough sleep, you’re more susceptible to being triggered and feeling down on yourself. 4 tips to Increased Physical Health and Self-Esteem Here are 4 quick tips to boosting your physical health, which will in turn boost your self-esteem: 1. Fuel your body – Watch what you eat and drink. You probably know the basics: eat lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and drink a ton of water. My best suggestion is to pick one small, positive change to make in your diet. If you have a soda every day, try to cut back to every other day for a couple of weeks. Then, keep backing it down until you’re at 1-2 a week or even none. 2. Move it! – Many jobs nowadays cause us to be sedentary much of the day. At minimum, get up and stretch or move around around once an hour. Walk outside and take a few breaths of fresh air. Try to work in some type of exercise into your week. It doesn’t have to be every day. I’m a big believer in trying different things until you figure out which type of exercise you love. Choose a small goal, one that you can achieve, and build on that. 3. Sleep – You should strive to have a sleep routine. This means you should go to sleep around the same time and wake up around the same time every day in order to feel your best. Just be mindful that a lack of sleep affects our thinking and our emotions. 4. Next, is your appearance. I’m a big believer in getting dressed and ready for the day in the morning. This means out of your pj’s or lounge clothes. Do your hair, and if you’re a makeup wearer, then put some on. I believe this helps to be more productive because you feel more put together. Whatever makes you feel put together and good about yourself is key. To wrap up, we’ve talked about our physical health and how it relates to our self-esteem. We talked about how fueling our bodies with the right food, moving more, having more and better sleep, and looking put together are important daily ways to boost our self-esteem and achieve a better balance in our lives. Taking care of your physical health honors the amazing person you are. You owe it to yourself. Maria Inoa, LCSW Therapist, Public Speaker, & Blogger www.fullpotentialcounseling.com #moms #momlife #women #selfesteem #selfworth #socialmedia #facebook #instagram #pinterest #wellness #mentalhealth #relationships #depression #anxiety #counseling #therapy #Jacksonville #Florida #jaxbizconnections #guestblogger #jaxcommunityconnections

Article written by Blog Post Contributor Sally Lane 1. You were absolutely, 100% wanted and loved more than you will ever know (or will understand until you have your own children). 2. You are a blessing from God. You are wonderfully and fearfully made. 3. Don't stress or get upset over small stuff. Most of the things I get upset over on a daily basis are really, really small things in the grand scheme of life! Drinks spill, dirt gets tracked in, clutter happens, plates break, pets destroy things, it rains on your outdoor plans, you lose things, and it goes on. Deep breath, it will be find. 4. You will always be my babies, and loved with all my heart. You are the greatest gifts ever given to me. 5. Try to find something nice to say about everyone. My mother always talked about how her grandmother could always find something nice to say about anybody and I always thought that was a good goal. 6. It is OK to be different. God made us each unique! How boring would it be if we all thought, looked and acted alike? Accept yourself and be yourself! 7. Don't let fear stop you from doing things in life. Fear can be a good warning sign to avoid danger but it can also be irrational fear that stops you from trying new things, pursuing dreams or taking chances. 8. Don't hold grudges. Forgive and forget. You only hurt yourself keeping anger inside. The person who wronged you probably doesn't care or possibly doesn't even realize it. 9. Apologize when you have done wrong. Being sorry also means you will try not to do it again. 10. A lot of hurt can be avoided by thinking before you speak, but if you are like me, often things come out before you thought it through. Think whether what you have to say is true, necessary and kind. 11. Sometimes you will be wrong. I know that is a hard one. We all love to be right. 12. Learn to control your temper. I have not set the best example. Work on it especially before you have kids! 13. Zits, bad hair, cellulite, wrinkles, they all happen. Save yourself the agony and tears and just accept it all. It happens to everyone eventually. 14. Don't worry about what others think of you. Most of the time not that many people are thinking about you anyway. 15. Work on establishing good habits, it is much harder to break bad ones! Read your Bible daily, eat healthy, don't smoke or drink, exercise regularly, etc. 16. God has given you special gifts and talents. Discover them and try to determine how He wants you to use them. 17. Read, read, read! It is good for your brain and enjoyable! 18. Turn off the TV. Better yet, don't even have one. And don't believe most of what you hear or see on it. 19. Volunteer. Find ways to help others. You are blessed in many ways. Give to others freely. There is so much need in the world. 20. Don't be materialistic. Things are not important. It doesn't matter how much stuff your friends have, or what the world tries to sell you. 21. Be a good manager of your money. Put money in savings, give to others and spend wisely. Don't put yourself in debt. 22. Surround yourself with friends who have good morals and love God and lift you up. 23. Don't give in to peer pressure. Walk away from people who want you to do harm to yourself or others. 24. Brush your teeth every day and get them cleaned at the dentist every 6 months even though you hate going. Trust me, you want nice teeth for life. 25. Look for a spouse who loves God, respects you, has similar beliefs (this will matter when you have kids), makes you laugh, is mature (don't marry a man who still plays video games and has no job and lives with his parents, in most cases this is not a good sign), has similar desires and dreams in life, manages money well, has good manners and is polite to you and others. 26. Learn how to cook. As much as I don't like to do it, cooking saves money and is a lot healthier than constantly eating out. 27. Don't let people make you feel bad when you become a parent. It is totally OK to have an epidural if you want one and breastfeeding is not as easy as it looks. 28. Love your babies, keep them safe, pray a lot! 29. Find joy in every day. Even when the day or month or year is not going as planned and you feel like giving up, you still have things to be thankful for. Make a list each day if you need to! 30. Don't go to places where you might get in trouble or hurt. You don't need to be out late at night, or hanging out in bars or clubs. 31. Don't drink and drive. Better yet, don't drink. And don't ride with someone else who has been drinking. You are smart enough and fun enough to have a good time without being intoxicated. 32. Don't smoke. It is bad for your health and is a nasty habit. 33. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 34. As my mother often said, "trash in, trash out." Don't fill your mind with trash, whether it be books, movies, etc. 35. Be classy, not trashy. Dress modestly. You want people to be attracted to who you are inside, not what you can flaunt on the outside. 36. It is probably best not to try and cut your own hair, especially if it involves bangs. Even if you watch a youtube video of how to. Yes, it will grow back but save yourself the embarrassment and tears. 37. Try not to get sunburned. Sunblock has nasty ingredients in it so just cover up well and avoid mid-day sun if possible. 38. Never swim alone. You might drown. Seriously, it happens. 39. Don't ride on motorcycles. Ask your father to tell you about the calls he has been on to motorcycle accidents. 40. Always wear your seat belt! No excuses! 41. Get a check up every year and take care of your health. 42. Just a personal preference, but think really, really hard about ever getting a tattoo. They are permanent. What you like at 20 may not be what you like at 40 or 60! 43. Learn how to take care of basic things yourself like changing a tire, checking the oil in your car, how to use tools, jump start a car, change the batteries in fire alarms, etc. 44. Keep your house clean. A smaller house is easier to keep clean and the less stuff you have, the better! 45. Change your underwear every day. 46. Don't work too hard. Make time for things you enjoy and have fun in life too! 47. On the other side, don't be lazy. 48. Have respect for life. Every person, from in the womb to the elderly deserve dignity and love. 49. Stand up for what is right, even if you are standing alone. 50. Defend the helpless. 51. Be mindful of who you trust. There are many trustworthy people in the world but also plenty waiting to take advantage of you. 52. Don't be afraid to try new things. Failure is part of learning. 53. It is OK to say no to people. 54. Study history and economics and research who you give your votes to. 55. Get a good photographer for your wedding. 56. Before you get married, make sure you and your future spouse realize marriage is meant to be for life. Even when you get old, overweight, annoying, snore, etc. If you are highly annoyed by them before you marry, that may be a good sign they are not the one for you. 57. Don't let anyone ever abuse you physically, verbally, or emotionally. Get away from that person and stay away. 58. Learn some good basic self defense. Always be aware of your surroundings. 59. Be thankful. Thank others frequently when they help you or give you a gift. 60. Try to hang around with positive people. 61. You can't control everything or other people. I say this as a control freak myself. 62. If you have nothing nice to say, it is probably better to just be quiet. 63. Have a strong handshake. 64. Don't move in with a boyfriend/girlfriend. As my grandmother told me, "Why buy the horse when you can get the cart for free?" 65. Never reply in an email or text when you are angry. Think a while and cool down. 66. Don't blame other people for your mistakes. Take responsibility. 67. Don't lie. You usually get caught in the lie anyway and it is wrong to do. 68. Open doors for people, especially ladies (if you are a man) and for elderly. 69. Don't waste time in a relationship with someone you wouldn't marry. 70. Call your family often, every day is good! 71. Smile at strangers, say hello to people, look them in the eyes. 72. If your friends gossip about other people to you, rest assured they gossip about you too. 73. It is OK to cry, even boys! 74. It is not a waste of time to stay home with your children. It is one of the most important jobs there is! 75. It is better to be overdressed rather than under dressed for an event, job interview, etc. 76. You don't have to say everything you think. 77. Find a job you really like if possible. Spending 40 hours or more a week doing something that makes you miserable is not a healthy way to live. 78. It is good to ask for help and for directions when lost. 79. Keep a journal. And when you have children, write down all the funny stories and things they say. You won't remember it all! 80. Keep your promises. 81. Read "To Kill a Mockingbird" when you are older and try to be like Atticus Finch, the same in his house as he is on the public streets, steadfastly honest. 82. Read some of my favorite authors! C.S. Lewis (if only one, Mere Christianity), Jane Austen, some of Shakespeare's plays, Mark Twain, Leo Tolstoy, Ayn Rand, Toni Morrison, Oscar Wilde, A.A. Milne, Anne Frank, Corrie Ten Boom, Walt Whitman, Thoreau, so many to name! 83. Take lots of pictures! But be mindful of what you post on social media. 84. Freedom is not defined by safety. You are less safe when you give up your personal liberties. 85. Trust your gut instincts, they are usually right. 86. Practice fire safety at home, have an emergency plan in place, be prepared for worst case scenarios. 87. Learn to laugh at yourself sometimes. When you make a mistake, slip and fall, say something silly, just laugh it off and move on. 88. If you are waiting somewhere or riding public transportation, give up your seat to anyone who is elderly, pregnant or disabled. Men should give up their seat to women also. 89. Learn basic sewing skills. Men and women need to know the basic repairs for clothing if nothing else. 90. Know basic first aid and CPR. 91. When asked to do a favor or any job, do it without grumbling and preferably with a smile. 92. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, say "excuse me" and "thank you" and "please" often. 93. Learn how to type sufficiently. 94. Send people real cards and real hand written letters sometimes. 95. Write thank you notes for gifts you receive, even if you aren't crazy about the gift. 96. Don't stress about things you can not control and can not change. Even better, do not stress, pray. 97. Someone gave me the good advice once: never put on your skin what would not be safe to eat because your skin is your biggest organ. It absorbs the chemicals in products. Moisturize with coconut oil and wash with organic soaps. 98. It is fine to change your mind! Many decisions are changeable! If you make a mistake, fix it. If you dislike your job, search for a new one. Don't like where you live, move! You get the idea. 99. Travel while you are a young adult before you have kids! While having children is a blessing, it is far easier to travel without lugging around strollers, cribs, diapers and bottles! 100. Always have your cell phone charged and with you in case of emergency. And let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. 101. Don't drive like a maniac. Obey the laws of the road. Pay attention when driving (no texting, putting make up on, switching songs, etc.) 102. Always keep gas in your car. Don't let it get to empty. Be prepared! 103. Hug your loved ones when you part and tell them you love them. You never know if it may be the last time you see them. 104. You can be refined instead of rude, tender instead of rough, kind instead of coarse, pure instead of popular, virtuous instead of vain. 105. God hears your prayers. He knows your dreams, fears, hopes, and hurts and He cares. He knows best and has it all under control even when you feel out of control. “If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.” ―A.A. Milne Sally Lane author of Kind of Counry Homeschool Blog For more parenting and homeschooling discussions, join me on my blog Kind of Crunchy Homeschool at www.kindofcrunchyhomeschool.wordpress.com #new #homeschool #parenting #teaching #advice #raisingkids #children #lifelessons #guestblogger #jaxbizconnections #jaxcommunityconnections

Article written by Blog Post Contributor Oluwatobi Ajayi What if I told you that you’ve been washing your face the wrong way all your life? Before I lived in Korea, I barely washed my face, and even when I did I simply slapped a whole lot of foam on my face, made a bubble face, rinsed it and called it a day. But the Koreans taught me different. Don’t get me wrong, the right way to wash your face also involves soap and water; however, it is way more than just soap and water. Your skin texture is determined on how you treat it day and night, over the span of months and years. So, don’t expect to have the best-looking skin overnight. Cleansing is not only the most important step of your skin care routine, it’s the very foundation of a healthy routine. In fact, cleansing consistently can prevent most skin problems—like acne breakouts and blackheads—which are caused by congested pores. Now, let me blow your mind. Not properly cleansing your face doesn’t just cause pimples, it can accelerate aging! The grime that collects on the skin throughout the day contains free radicals. These radicals disrupt and kill skin cells, which in turn cause the breakdown of natural elastin and collagen (the components of your skin that keep it firm and plump). So let me introduce you to the proper way of cleaning your face. Cleanse twice As I mentioned earlier, a water based cleanse (soap and water) is a healthy step in thoroughly cleaning the skin; however, an oil based cleanse is the first step before water. The technology behind an oil based cleanser is that oils like oil. Basic science rules apply here: oil sits on top of water and it doesn’t dissolve. So, cleaning your face with water doesn’t do anything. However, oils can help breakdown and remove excess sebum (an oily, waxy substance that is created by your sebaceous glands to protect the skin) and oil based impurities. After a proper oil cleanse, then a water based cleanse can be applied to complete the process. We recommend our Perfect Oil Cleanser by Ogboloju Men’s Skin Care. Apply the oil to your fingers and massage your face. You want to work with the direction of the muscles, not against it. Start underneath your cheekbones, use the knuckles of your first two fingers and work out from there. Press as firmly as what feels good to you since the oil will keep the pressure from pulling your skin. Trace them up the sides of your nose to the top of your forehead, and then down along the perimeter of your face. Finally, get under the eyes to prevent puffiness. Use a wet warm cloth or pad to clean off your face. Water-Based Cleaner: This step is more common and doesn’t require too much technique. After you’ve washed your face with the oil cleanser, use a gel or foam cleanser—whichever you prefer and feels best to your skin. The water temperature doesn’t matter, but here’s a secret: a cleanser that foams isn’t necessarily any better than one that doesn’t. Foam doesn’t increase a cleanser’s effectiveness. It just makes bubbles, lots and lots of bubbles. Oluwatobi Ajayi with Ogboloju Men’s Skin Care www.ogboloju.com #mensskincare #jacksonvillebusinessconnections #Ogboloju #jacksonville #OluwatobiAjayi #guestblogger #jaxbizconnections

Article written by Blog Post Contributor Karen Fabiola Photography If you’re like most people, you’ve thought about family portrait photography but it just hasn’t happened. Making excuses like;" I'm too busy", "my hair needs help", "I need to lose 10 more pounds", "it’s hard to get everyone together"… We’ve heard it. Many times. Sadly enough, those family portraits just never happens. But let me tell you some important facts to take into consideration to just do those family portraits. 1-Did you know that family portraits help to boost your child's self esteem? David Krauss, a licensed psychologist from Ohio says; "I think it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of a family. Children get the indirect feelings of ; "I belong here. This is where I come from". A photographer's job is to create and make the image look like a safe holding space for kids where they are safe and protected" Krauss is a pioneer in using people's personal photography and family albums to assists in mental health counseling and therapy. He co authored on the book Photo Therapy and Mental Health, this book is considered a founding text for the use of photography as a form of therapy. 2-Life and Memories We may not want to admit it but the make-up of the family can change without warning and loved ones may pass on. There’s no reason to squander the opportunity to capture life together now. You never know when that last chance for a family photo will come. Pictures in general bring us back in time. The hugs, the kids playing in front of the house, that teddy bear that went to all the family vacations... 3- Family Portraits are fun! Sometimes all it takes a photographer asking you to snuggle or hug your child, look at your spouse, or fake a laugh to create a special moment and capture your beautiful family. Remember...Pictures are memories and stories frozen in time. Pictures are a visual gift of people, places, things we love to do, smiles, and joy of our life stories. Family Portraits are an investment on those memories... Karen Fabiola Photography https://www.karenfabiolaphotography.com #familyportraits #jacksonvillebusinessconnections #karenfabiolaphotography #jacksonville #igersjax #jaxmoms #familyphotos #documentinglife #storyteller #guestblogger

Article written by Blog Post Contributor Maria There are lots of people and things we allow or tolerate in our lives that effect our self-esteem negatively. In this series, I'm going to talk about the 3 surefire ways you can cripple your self-esteem. This first post focuses on the first way, the social media trap. Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to avoid social media. It’s where you see updates from friends and family, get invited to birthdays, work events, and other social gatherings. Oftentimes, we even learn about the major events going on in the world from new articles on social media. If we’re being honest, sometimes it can get overwhelming. Social media can be a wonderful tool to keep in touch with new and old friends as well as family near and far. However, it can also cause major problems in your life and how you view yourself. Let's talk about how social media can hurt us. How Social Media Hurts Us: 1. Time Management – It’s so easy to fall down the rabbit hole and get lost on social media for much longer than you intended. Next thing you know, you’re running late or have lost valuable time in your day, and time is one of your most precious resources. 2. The Jealousy/Comparison Trap – Social media is infamous for being the place where you can be anyone you want to be. People post the best part of their day, week, or month, and in our heads, we may think this is the norm for that person. Perfect meals every day. Wow! That person has their stuff together. Beautiful outfits and hair done. Wow! She is so much more organized than I am. No, not true. We all have the good moments, and we all have daily struggles. The issue is that seeing a post or picture can sometimes trigger us to feel down about ourselves and our lives. Now let's talk about tips for managing your social media use while keeping your self-esteem intact. 4 Quick Tips to Maintaining Your Self-Esteem: 1. Watch your time spent on social media. Pick a time limit and then set a timer on your phone so that you’re reminded to log off. How much scrolling do you really need to do? 2. Consider taking a social media break. Vow to stay off of social media for a few days or a week. Then see how you feel. 3. Unfollow/unsubscribe/unfriend anyone who posts negative things on social media or who triggers negative feelings for you. Facebook even has a handy feature where you can opt to stop seeing a person's feed rather than unfriend them. It's so important to your self-esteem that you do what you can to block negativity from your life. 4. Subscribe/follow/friend people who inspire and encourage you, whether you know them personally or not. Those are the people you want to have on your feed. Remember, the more time you spend on social media watching others live their lives, the less time and energy you are putting into making your life the way you want it to be. Focus on your own journey and goals. Maria Inoa, LCSW Therapist, Public Speaker, & Blogger www.fullpotentialcounseling.com #moms #momlife #women #selfesteem #selfworth #socialmedia #facebook #instagram #pinterest #wellness #mentalhealth #relationships #depression #anxiety #counseling #therapy #Jacksonville #Florida

Check our Jacksonville Business Connections sharing about the upcoming Fashion & Beauty Expo and future events on #BUZZTV! Stay Updated Find all our events online at www.jaxbizevents.com or Facebook Follow #jaxbizconnections on Facebook Join our mailing list - As a guest of events or As a potential vendor of events #iwantabuzz #jaxbizconnections #jaxbizevents #jaxbixmarketing

Grab a girlfriend or two or three and join us for a fun day of Fashion & Beauty!! Jacksonville Business Connections invites you to our Fashion & Beauty Expo Expo featuring 50+ vendors at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort February 24th from 10am-3pm. We hope to see you there! New Year New You Fashion Show - two 15 minute shows at 12pm & 2pm. Belly Dancing Performances - two 10 minute performances at 11:30 & 12:30! -Featuring over 70 Vendors -Free to the public. Indoor event. -First 50 guests receive FREE Swag bags -Shop unique fashion in one space -Try the latest beauty products -Charity raffle So if you find yourself needing something to do, make sure you check out www.jaxbizevents.com and all our planned events for 2019!! Share: Share this article and comment below and receive a free promotional shopping bag!! Stay Updated: Follow the Facebook event to stay updated on all the vendors and fun additions we may add to the event! #jaxbizconnections #fashionbeautyexpo