Posted in Faith Hope Love

Why you need to watch – The Chosen?

Posted on by M Artisans

The Chosen is a TV series that is way beyond bible storytelling. Created, directed and co-written by filmmaker Dallas Jenkins, it is the first multi-season series about the life and ministry of Jesus.

The Chosen is one of the most engaging Bible-inspired productions I’ve seen. Surprisingly funny and relatable, we continue watching episode after episode not because we feel obligated to support it as a dutiful Christians, but because it’s compelling.

– Megan Basham (World)

A show that explores Jesus through the eyes of those who knew Him.

It is conveniently available everywhere and for free through their website, app and on Netflix. The dedicated app has all 3 seasons, while only season 1 is accessible on Netflix (varies per region).

You get to know Jesus and His followers, their personal and human side. Truly a work of love. Stream it now!

Posted in Family health

What is BPA? Why should we avoid using containers with BPA?

Posted on by M Artisans

BPA stands for bisphenol-A, an industrial chemical that has been used to make plastics and resins (Mayo Clinic).

It’s back to school season and you’re likely to buy lunch boxes and tumblers. You’ve probably noticed plastics with label – BPA free and may be wondering what that means and why it’s important.

It has been used since the 1950s to make strong and resilient plastics, food container and even hygiene products.

How do we get exposed to BPA?

BPA can leach into food or drinks from containers, tableware, bottles and even baby bottles.

Many people are getting worried about BPA exposure. Researchers have found that BPA exposure is linked to a number of health issues, particularly hormonal imbalances. This is due to the ability of BPA to mimic the structure and function of hormone estrogen.

BPA has also been linked to endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in studies published in PubMed.

It can also cause stress to your body by damaging the mitochondria (the energy producing factories of cells). Stress can lead to chronuc inflammation and is linked to increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

What can I do to prevent exposure to BPA?

  • Don’t microwave plastic food containers. Since heating BPA-containing plastics may cause more BPA leaching into food or liquids.
  • Plastic containers have recycle codes on the bottom. Some, but not all, plastics that are marked with recycle codes 3 or 7 may be made with BPA.
  • If possible, choose glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers, particulary for hot food or liquids.
  • Use bottles that are BPA free.

With all these studies and evidence, it is best to take steps to limit your exposure. As for me who is chronically ill, I’ve already started avoiding usage of plastics as food containers. There are instances however, that take aways are stored in plastic but I immediately transfer the food to glass or porcelain foodwares upon arriving home.

Stay safe ❤

Posted in Kdrama

See You in My 19th Life (Korean Drama)

Posted on by M Artisans

This is a beautiful love story! Adapted from the webtoon “See You in My 19th Life” (이번 생도 잘 부탁해) by Lee Hye (이혜). A tale about love that spans several lifetimes.

No spoiler here.

This newly released drama has exceptional cinematography and superb acting, particularly my favorite – Shin Hye Sun. It is slightly different from the webtoon but they created a wonderful fantasy tale about love and memories.

One of the elements I loved the most is the portrayal of the lead actress’s infallible, persistent, and unconditional love. While the male lead (Ahn Bo Hyun) struggles with past traumas and guilt. Their chemistry is just perfect!

The role and acting of her sister (Ha Yoon Kyung) is equally impressive, she is adorable and sweet.

I’m not done with the drama yet, still cherishing every episode…

❤

Posted in motivational

Being a Bitter Person

Posted on by M Artisans

Someone who is bitter is anger and unhappy because they cannot forget bad things that happened in the past;

– Cambridge Dictionary

What does it mean to be a Bitter Person?

Bitter people have two core emotions ~ anger and unhappiness. They have a lot of drama and excuses in their lives. They have a hard time seeing the positive in every situation. Resentment is the closest emotional construct to bitterness according to experts. They harbor deep-seated resentment and carry negative emotions. They have an endless sense of dissatisfaction and an inability to let go and move on from past grievances.

According to Psychology Today, the root of bitterness is “hurt” and “emotional pain”, having complex emotions that also include disappointment.

A bitter person is often angry, sad and disappointed. They seem to be preoccupied with too much negative feelings. And greatly affects people around them. They can cause harm and even destroy relationships.

You may be dealing with someone bitter in your life, knowledge and understanding is the key to handling them.

Here are the characteristics of bitter people;

  1. Bitter people are constantly jealous and envious – they are not happy and contented with their lives. They want what you have and constantly compare themselves with other people.
  2. Bitter people use drama to get attention and sympathy – They often find themselves bored and lonely so they create dramatic situations to get sympathy and attention.
  3. Bitter people focus on the negative – they are often judgemental and talk about the faults of others. They live in negativity and don’t like you to be happy.
  4. Bitter people are narcissistic – we have a separate post on this topic, the kind of people that are selfish and detached.
  5. Bitter people hold grudges – they hold grudges and they can’t let go of something for a long time. Feeding on anger and hatred.

No matter how much you want to help this person, you have to understand that for them they don’t really want your help. If these people were open to advice, they wouldn’t be so miserable in the first place.

There’s still something you can do about it if you want to help them though. Find the courage to sit down and talk to them about their bitterness and how they can improve themselves.

It is possible to be bitter and not be aware of it, so if you care for that person tell them, pray for them…

Posted in life, psychology

Gen Z is More Stressed

Posted on by M Artisans

Generation Z or Gen Z refers to the generation that is born between the years 1997 and 2012. The first generation to be raised entirely with the internet and smartphones.

Growing up in tumultuous times that include multiple stressors such as climate change, conflicts, and political unrest. There’s a lot going on and all at once, TMI for sure! They are not just dealing with everyday stress, they are in constant bombardment of information and pressure.

In fact, many recent surveys and studies showed that these young adults are the most stressed, pressured and exhausted group.

They have a ton of reasons to feel more stressed than previous generations. Stress that can contribute to psychological concerns like anxiety and depression.

Here are the examples of stressors for Gen Z’s;

  • In one survey, it was reported that almost half of Gen Z are on their phones or online for 10 or more hours a day. That means more screen time and less time connecting with others in person, this could increase feelings of isolation and loneliness. There’s also less time going outdoors and being with nature.
  • In the American Psychological Association report, 91% of Gen Zs are experiencing physical or psychological symptoms due to stress. Causes of stress are money/work, debt, school and hunger.
  • Issues like climate change, political conflicts and fear of the future in general.
  • Exposure to harmful content through social media at a young age.
  • Research from University College London found that Gen Z was more likely to self-harm, have poorer body image, lack sleep, be overweight and have depression.
  • They also face pressure related to social media and the need to perform and conform for a picture-perfect image (and life).

Coming from a parent of a Gen Z, it’s not all negative for our children. Actually, because of social media, they’ve increased awareness of the importance of mental health. They are interconnected globally through the internet. They are more likely to seek psychological help and speak up about their concerns.

We should be the first advocates of their physical and mental health. Understanding, patience, and open communication among families – these are some of the keys in addressing and helping our Gen Z children.

❤

Posted in motivational

What it really feels like to be Depressed

Posted on by M Artisans

A sunny Saturday morning, I’ve been feeling worthless… I cannot really put into words how I feel – crappy? It’s like something hurts inside, not physically, something you cannot grasp.

I read I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteobbokki last year, written in such detail about the author’s conversations/therapy with her psychiatrist. Some parts are still clear in my mind and resonate with my feelings, the writhing emotions which threatened to tear me apart…

“I wonder about others like me, who seem totally fine on the outside but are rotting on the inside, where the rot is this vague state of being not-fine and not-devastated at the same time.”

– Baek Se-Hee, I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteobbokki

There are times when I just want to sit alone, doing nothing, staring blankly at something. The things I used to enjoy doing, they don’t excite me anymore… Now, I’m really depressed. Nothing interests me at all… Everything appears like a chore I must do in order to get through the day.

Anhedonia, that’s what I’ve learned in my short course in Psychology. No medical terms matter to me today.

As a Christian, I cited examples in the bible. And yes even prophet Elijah battled depression.

Elijah himself traveled a day’s journey into the wilderness, and he came and sat down under a juniper tree and asked [God] that he might die. He said, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

– 1 Kings 19:4-7



It feels reassuring I guess, that many great people fell into depression… Elijah’s suffering was an accumulation of fatigue and exhaustion. It’s a slap to my self-doubt, that I’m not religious enough to feel this low. It just happens to anyone.

“Looking deep within myself is always difficult. Especially when I’m in the throes of negative emotion. How shall I describe it? It’s like I know everything is fine, but I can’t stop myself from endlessly checking to make sure it really is fine, and in the process I make myself miserable. Today was like that. I just felt like whining. And leaning on someone, and being sad. To me, sadness is the path of least resistance, the most familiar and close-at-hand emotion I have. A habit that has encrusted itself onto my everyday.”

– Baek Se-Hee

So when Elijah was depressed, God sent His angel to touch him. Delivering a message of hope and the angel gave him nourishment to his tired body. (1 Kings 1:6-7)

Closing this post, I’d like to end this by saying that there is hope. There are things even minute things that can help us, like taking a shower, writing a journal, scribbling, painting… There’s something that can give you relief. I know from experience, it is hard. But there is hope…

hugs ❤

when I’m afraid, I put my trust in You.

– Psalm 56:3

casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

1 Peter 5:7
Posted in motivational

Characteristics of a Good Work Environment

Posted on by M Artisans

Work Environment; Someone’s environment is all the circumstances, people, things, and events around them that influence their life. 

– Collins dictionary

A good work environment is essential for employees’ productivity and well-being. Every employee needs a good working environment to motivate them and gives out the best in them.

A healthy work environment has many components, a primary factor is relationship with co-workers. A positive culture, non-toxic and amiable co-workers is the main ingredient in a healthy workplace.

Another key characteristic of a healthy work environment is the way they appreciate their loyal employees. To be recognized and noticed is part of our Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs.

Next feature is open and transparent communication between the employer and employees. A transparent and open form of communication addresses the employee’s need to feel that what they have to say has value and is being listened. It is what makes employees feel that they are part of the organization and they are being valued there. Wouldn’t you agree that this characteristic is highlighted in small businesses? Mainly because their size is synonymous to unity and closeness among the co-workers and with the employer. Employees could directly talk to their boss for urgent problems without the need for formalities or go through complex processes unlike in big corporations.

The environment that employees work in can impact their feelings of well-being, workplace relationships, collaboration, and productivity. It can greatly influence how you feel about your job so it is important to find an employer that fosters a positive environment.

Team spirit. We are social beings, we have the need to belong to a group and get support from them. Day to day struggles will become less daunting, because they work together and support each other, workload becomes lighter and thus more positive.

Trust. It is very important to build trust for a proper and smooth working of an organization. The employer should have trust on his employees and vice-versa. Trust is the basic foundation of all relationships.  Trust is all about doing what you say you are going to do and being who you say you are.

A healthy environment promotes communication, helping, healing and education between employees. They grow and improve together and value friendship and loyalty.

❤

Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com
Posted in prayer

Novena to Sto. Niño (9th day)

Posted on by M Artisans

ACT OF CONTRITION

PETITION

Oh merciful Jesus! You have said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!”; we beseech you to guide us on our way to heaven so that we may be able to surmount all the difficulties and obstacles we will encounter in this deceptive world.

Grant to us also the virtue of hope so that we will always thirst for the heavenly things and for your glory. This we ask you in Your Holy Name. Amen

  • Pray 3 Our Father
  • 3 Hail Mary
  • 3 Glory Be
  • Ask Sto. Niño for your requests…
  • Supplications to Sto. Niño…
Posted in Catholic faith, prayer

Novena to Sto. Niño (8th day)

Posted on by M Artisans

ACT OF CONTRITION

PETITION

Oh merciful Jesus! You opened the gates of heaven for us through your death and resurrection; we implore you to grant us eternal life after our sojourn here on earth. We ask you this in Your Holy Name. Amen

  • Pray 2 Our Father
  • 3 Hail Mary
  • 3 Glory Be
  • Ask Sto. Niño for…
  • Supplications to Sto. Niño…
Posted in prayer

Novena to Sto. Niño (7th Day)

Posted on by M Artisans

ACT OF CONTRITION

PETITION

Oh, most merciful Jesus! You had always obeyed your heavenly Father even unto death; we beseech you to grant us the grace of being always docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit so that we will always glorify your Father in heaven. This we ask you in Your Holy Name. Amen

  • Pray 3 Our Father
  • 3 Hail Mary
  • 3 Glory Be
  • Ask Sto. Niño for your petition
  • Supplications to Sto. Niño…