by Sonya | Jan 1, 2023 | uncategorized
I’m on my third cup of coffee for the day – it’s been a slow start to the day and the new year.
I am certainly in no rush today. Slow and steady is an ok way to be on a day off – I am worthy of the rest!
Besides – I have already created and posted the content I intended to do for the day so I am already winning my day – and the year!!!
As I am taking a slow stroll through my socials, I find a question-answer post that caught my eye.
It’s the type where you answer personal questions about your life then ask your friends to copy and paste on their page with their answers to the questions.
It’s not only fun but also a great way to learn more about all the people on your friends list.
I decided to give it a try and answer the questions here on the blog instead. I thought it would be a fun way to share some details about the things that make me – me!
Here are 41 things you may or may not know about me
1. Are you named after someone? Nope
2. When is the last time you cried? Yesterday – damn you Top Gun Maverick!
3. Do you like your handwriting? Sometimes
4. What is your favorite lunch meat? Honey ham
5. Do you have kids? I have three kids and a grandchild
6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you? Maybe.
7. Do you use sarcasm? I am fluent in sarcasm
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Nope
9. Would you bungee jump? I prefer to keep my feet planted firmly on the Earth – thank you very much!
10. What is your favorite cereal? Special K Protein
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Mostly no
12. Do you think you are strong? Yes
13. What is your favorite ice cream? Butter Pecan
14. What is the first thing you notice about people? Their smile
15. Red or pink? Since purple is not an option pink
16. What is the least favorite thing you like about yourself? How easily wounded I get when I feel like I am not being seen or heard by others
17. What color pants and shoes are you wearing right now? Plaid flannel pj shorts and fuzzy slippers
18. What was the last thing ate? Bowl of Special K Protein cereal and milk
19. What are you listening to, right now? The sounds of nature coming through my window and the sound of my fingers tapping across the keyboard as I write this blog post
20. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Periwinkle
21. Favorite smell? The smell of honeysuckle on the warm summer breeze
22. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? My granddaughter on Facetime
23. Favorite sport to watch? Football- the American kind.
24. Real hair color? Blonde
25. Eye color? Blue
26. Do you wear contacts? I tried wearing them once…not a fan
27. Favorite food to eat? Popcorn
28. Scary movies or happy ending? Happy ending
29. Last movie you watched? Top Gun Maverick
30. What color shirt are you wearing? Gray
31. Summer or Winter? Summer
32. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
33. What book are you currently reading? Atomic Habits
35. What is on your mouse pad? No mouse pad here
36. What is the last TV program you watched? Friends
37. Favorite sound? Music
38. Rolling Stones or The Beatles? Too hard to decide – both amazing bands!
39. What is the farthest you have traveled? Europe -France, Spain,England,and a long layover in Portugal
40. Do you have a special talent? Breaking concepts down into smaller, easier to understand pieces
41. Where were you born? Reading, Pennsylvania
So there you have it. 41 random facts about me – Sonya O’Brien.
Do you ever participate in these copy/paste things on social media? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think of these quizzes!
by Sonya | Dec 31, 2022 | uncategorized
Every year, people around the world make resolutions to start off their New Year.
Eating healthier, getting more exercise, taking up a hobby—the list of resolutions is endless.
But what if there was an easier way to set yourself up for success in the new year?
Enter: the “word of the year” concept.
What is a Word of the Year?
A word of the year is simply a single word (or occasionally phrase) that you choose to embody throughout your next 365 days.
This could be anything from “balance” or “courage” to “gratitude” or “abundance.”
It should be something that speaks to you and resonates with what you hope to achieve in 2023 and beyond.
Why Focus on Just One Word
The beauty of choosing a word for the year ahead is that you can focus on just one thing at a time.
Instead of worrying about multiple resolutions and having too much on your plate all at once, you can pick one single word that encompasses many things at once.
For example, instead of focusing on eating healthy and exercising more, you could simply choose “wellness” as your word for 2023.
It’s a powerful tool that can help keep you focused and motivated throughout the entire year.
Keeping Word of the Year Center Stage
Here are 5 brilliant ways to make the most of your word in 2023:
1. Put it somewhere visible
One great way to ensure your Word of the Year remains at top-of-mind is by displaying it somewhere visible.
Put it on a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or create an inspiring desktop wallpaper featuring your word so that every time you open up your laptop it will be staring back at you!
This will serve as a constant reminder of what matters most to you this year.
2. Create an affirmation
An affirmation is essentially a positive statement that affirms what we want our lives to look like.
If your Word of the Year was “happiness” then an example affirmation could be “I am surrounded by joy and contentment every day.”
Affirmations can be incredibly powerful tools for manifesting our desires into reality; use yours as frequently as possible!
3. Set goals around it
These goals should be specific and actionable. If your Word of the Year is “growth” then one goal could be reading one book related to self-improvement per month.
Setting smaller goals helps break down larger objectives into manageable chunks so they don’t seem insurmountable – plus when you reach them, there’s nothing quite like that feeling of accomplishment!
4. Tell people about it
Sharing our intentions with others can help us stay accountable and motivated – plus who knows?
Maybe someone else has some great advice or insights they can offer based on their own experiences with similar words or ideas!
Don’t be afraid to share what matters most to you; chances are there are plenty of people out there who understand exactly how important this journey is for you!
5. Reflect on progress regularly
Nobody ever said achieving greatness was easy – which is why taking time each month (or even each week!) to reflect on how far you have come since deciding upon your Word of the Year can help provide much needed motivation and perspective.
Reflecting on progress also helps identify areas where more work needs done so that lasting change can occur – plus reflecting too often means more time spent living in gratitude for all the wonderful things we have achieved thus far!
Making the most out of our Words of the Year doesn’t require any major lifestyle overhauls – just small daily habits like these five suggestions above!
With consistent effort and dedication over time, we can easily start making real strides towards achieving our dreams – whatever they may be!
by Sonya | Dec 22, 2022 | uncategorized
Being a first responder is an incredibly demanding and fulfilling job.
But with the stress of the job comes the need for occupational wellness.
Occupational wellness is about achieving balance between your work life and personal life, as well as finding meaning in your job.
It also involves understanding your strengths and weaknesses in order to maximize your potential in the workplace.
Here are some steps you can take to achieve occupational wellness as a first responder:
Set Goals that Matter to You
Setting goals can be an important part of finding fulfillment in any line of work, but it is especially important for first responders.
Setting goals can help you stay focused on what matters most to you in your job, and achieving those goals can give you a sense of accomplishment.
When setting goals, make sure they are realistic and achievable, so that you don’t become overwhelmed or discouraged.
Also, make sure that your goals reflect the values you want to prioritize in your job—whether that be helping others, providing security for your community, or something else entirely.
Take Time for Yourself
While it is important to be dedicated to your work as a first responder, it is also important to take time for yourself.
Taking time for yourself may mean different things for different people—it could mean taking breaks throughout the day or scheduling regular time off from work.
It could also mean engaging in activities you enjoy outside of work or spending quality time with friends and family.
Whatever it looks like for you personally, making sure that you have time for yourself can help boost your overall sense of well being and satisfaction in life—including when it comes to work satisfaction.
Stay Connected with Your Coworkers
Having strong relationships with your coworkers can also help contribute to feelings of occupational fulfillment as a first responder.
Staying connected with your colleagues helps foster trust between everyone at work which can lead to better communication and collaboration on the job.
Spending quality time together outside of work—whether through virtual hangouts or face-to-face gatherings—can also be beneficial by strengthening relationships between colleagues even further.
Occupational wellness is vital for first responder success – don’t forget to prioritize it during your career journey!
Achieving occupational wellness requires dedication and effort but can certainly pay off in terms of long term satisfaction both professionally and personally.
By setting meaningful goals, taking time for yourself, and staying connected with coworkers – first responders can benefit from creating fulfillment within their jobs.
by Sonya | Dec 21, 2022 | uncategorized
As a first responder, you have an extremely demanding job. You must be prepared to act quickly and efficiently under pressure, while maintaining your focus and energy levels.
One way that first responders can help their bodies recover from the stress of their jobs is by drinking Ningxia Red, a powerful antioxidant drink that is packed with nutrients and minerals.
It is a product my husband and I have come to rely on as first responders and both highly recommend!
Here are the top five benefits of Ningxia Red for first responders.
A Natural Boost of Energy
First responders often find themselves in situations where they have to be up late, stay awake for long periods of time, and still remain alert.
A daily dose of Ningxia Red helps give them a natural boost of energy so that they don’t run out of steam when they need it most.
The wolfberry puree found in Ningxia Red contains polysaccharides, which provides quick energy and can improve overall stamina.
Improved Circulation
Ningxia Red is full of essential minerals like selenium, iron, zinc, and copper that can help keep our blood oxygenated and flowing properly throughout the body.
This improved circulation helps ensure that our organs receive the oxygen they need to stay healthy and functioning properly.
Improved circulation also can help fight fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and even heart disease.
Immune Support
First responders are constantly exposed to germs due to their work environment—so it’s important for them to maintain a strong immune system.
Luckily, Ningxia Red can help! It is loaded with antioxidants like anthocyanins and zeaxanthin that help protect cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
This helps support the immune system.
Increased Oxygenation In Cells
Ningxia Red is also high in nitric oxide (NO), which can help increase blood flow throughout the body and increase oxygenation in cells.
Increased oxygenation means more energy for those moments when you really need it!
It also improves mental clarity so that first responders can focus better during stressful situations or long shifts without feeling overwhelmed or fatigued.
Improved Overall Health and Wellness
Last but not least, Ningxia Red provides many vitamins and minerals necessary for overall health and wellness such as vitamin C, B12, calcium , magnesium , potassium , phosphorus , iron , zinc , copper , selenium , chromium , manganese .
All these nutrients work together to provide an array of health benefits such as better digestion, increased metabolism, improved cardiovascular health, reduced inflammation, increased strength & endurance , better cognitive function & memory retention.
Ningxia Red is an excellent choice for any first responder looking to improve their overall well-being both mentally and physically.
It works great for first responder family members too!
Its blend of vitamins, minerals, essential oils, and antioxidants provide numerous benefits including improved energy levels, enhanced immune function, improved mental clarity, and increased circulation for greater alertness on duty.
So next time you’re feeling stressed out from being on duty or just need some extra energy during a long shift – reach for some refreshing Ningxia Red!
by Sonya | Dec 8, 2022 | uncategorized
The loss of a first responder in the line of duty is a tragedy that no one ever wants to face.
It’s an unimaginable loss that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to know that you’re not alone.
There are healthy ways to cope with grief and loss associated with a line of duty death.
Let’s take a look at some helpful ways to cope with this difficult situation.
Reach out to your support network
Whether you are a first responder or a family member of one, it is important that you reach out for support when dealing with grief and loss associated with a line of duty death.
Your local community is likely made up of fellow first responders who understand what you’re going through and can offer emotional support
Give yourself time to grieve
Don’t try to bottle up your emotions or pretend like everything is okay when it’s not.
It’s okay to cry, and it’s okay to take time off from work if you need to.
Seek professional help if you need it
If you find yourself struggling to cope, don’t be afraid to seek out professional counseling or therapy.
Check with your employer to see if they offer EAP – Employee Assistance Program.
EAP typically offers a few counseling sessions for free.
Attend a support group
Attend a support group for families of first responders who have died in the line of duty
There are often groups available through local police and fire departments.
Get involved with a charity that supports families of fallen first responders
This can be a great way to honor your loved one while also helping others who are going through the same thing as you are.
Stay active and busy
It can be easy to want to just sit around and do nothing when you’re grieving, but staying active can actually help you cope better.
Talk about your friend or loved one
Talk about them as much as you want to—and don’t let anyone tell you that you should move on or stop talking about them.
Allowing yourself to grieve openly can help bring you some peace.
Write about your feelings
Write about your feelings in a journal or start a blog about your experience dealing with the loss of a loved one in the line of duty .
This can be therapeutic and can also help others who are going through the same thing as you are .
Make sure to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally
It’s important to eat healthy, exercise, and get plenty of rest.
It’s also important to allow yourself time to grieve and process your emotions.
Remember that it’s ok to not be ok
Grief is an incredibly difficult emotion to process. There is no right or wrong way to cope with it.
Do what feels right for you and know that there are people who care about you and want to help however they can.
Losing a first responder in the line of duty is an unimaginably difficult thing to go through, but know that you’re not alone.
Turn towards those around you for support – whether they are community members or professionals.
Always remember to take care of yourself both mentally & physically during this time.
Doing so will help ensure that while honoring their memory, you too have taken steps towards healing from this tremendous tragedy .
by Sonya | Dec 7, 2022 | uncategorized
We’ve all been there before. You’re at work and something sets you off.
A mean-spirited comment from a co-worker, a rude person on the phone, or you’re just having a bad day.
While it’s perfectly normal to feel emotions at work, it’s important to understand how to manage those emotions in a way that doesn’t negatively affect your work or your relationships with others.
In this post, we’ll explore some tips for managing emotions at work.
Understanding Your Triggers
One of the most important things you can do when it comes to managing your emotions at work is to understand your triggers.
What makes you angry, sad, or anxious?
Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to develop strategies for dealing with them.
Let’s say you know that you tend to get angry when you feel like you’re not being heard.
Make it a point to have one-on-one conversations with your boss to ensure that your voice IS being heard.
Maybe you know that you get anxious when you are struggling to keep up with assigned work tasks.
Ask for help if you are feeling overwhelmed instead of complaining about it.
The key is to understand what sets you off then develop a strategy for dealing with those emotions before they take over.
Staying Aware of Your Emotional State
Another important thing to keep in mind when managing emotions at work is to stay aware of your emotional state throughout the day.
This means checking in with yourself regularly to see how you’re feeling and why.
There are a few ways you can do this.
One way is to keep a journal where you can jot down how you’re feeling and what might be causing those feelings.
Another way is to set aside some time each day for meditation or mindfulness practices such as deep breathing exercises.
This will help you learn to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings so that you can manage them more effectively.
Knowing When to Take a Break
Know when to take a break if you’re feeling overwhelmed by emotions at work.
If possible, step away from the situation that is causing those emotions and take some time for yourself.
Go for a walk, listen to music, or call a friend—whatever helps you relax and de-stress.
Routine Self-Care
It’s important to practice self-care both inside and outside of work.
This includes things like getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and exercising regularly.
When we take care of ourselves physically and emotionally, we’re better equipped to deal with stressful situations.
If you are feeling particularly stressed, see if there’s someone you can talk to outside of work, such as a therapist or counselor.
It’s also OK to take some time off if you need it—sometimes the best thing we can do for our mental health is to simply take a break from work altogether.
Managing emotions at work can be tough—but it’s definitely not impossible.
With these tools in your emotional management toolbox, you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way at work!
