Written by: Morgan Williams, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. As a former educator, I have not said much about the field of education since I resigned in August of 2021. Admittedly, I may have been keeping myself small, so that no one would question my decision. I worked through so much fear, leaving the stability of my teaching salary as a single parent. I had a lot to sort out about who I was now, as I no longer held the identity of “teacher.” If I’m honest, I have so many friends who are still educators and are seriously struggling, that I think I held some guilt for leaving, knowing that they were still deep in the trenches. Over the last several weeks, so many of my people, who are still teachers, have reached out to me. They are at their breaking point. They are struggling. They are in crisis. They are experiencing both physical and mental health issues, along with physical and verbal abuse from students and parents, and having their integrity questioned by the administration. They are leaving the profession in droves, and not just in the world news; right here, where our kids are being educated. It’s a local issue, pretty much everywhere. I was brought to tears today, listening to a friend who shared an experience that she had at work. Tears of activation, tears of memories, and tears of deep-seated compassion. Mostly, I felt tears because I know how passionate she is about the work that she does and the children that she serves. It breaks my heart to think that she is so deeply unhappy and had a full-on panic attack on the job for the first time in 40 years of her life, that now she is looking into leaving the field altogether. Based on what I experienced as an educator and am hearing from those currently still in the field, here are just a few of the reasons they have the desire to and are making the decision to leave. being stabbed with pencils, kicked, hit, and sworn at by students having their integrity questioned by the administration and parents being harassed by parents, including, but not limited to, sexual harassment losing their planning and preparation time due to a sub shortage (which certainly impacts the quality of instruction for our children, but also impacts the teacher’s need for a break to recenter and recharge to be most effective in the classroom) dealing with countless disruptive behaviors that are not being addressed and disrupting the entire learning process/environment having more and more put on their plates than anyone can manage constant curricular changes and additions without enough time or training to implement them well taking on vicarious trauma from their students and colleagues and bringing it home to their families, and suffering from health problems as a result If you are a parent, these human beings NEED your support. They love your children and have their own families that get the worst of what’s left of them when they get home. If you need ideas on how to support them, I’m happy to help. It goes beyond gift cards, cookies, and thank-you notes. If you are an administrator, your teachers NEED your support, REAL support. If you’re not sure what that looks like, ask them or chat with me. I can tell you from personal experience what would be supportive. If you are an educator right now (in any way, shape, or form), I encourage you to take serious care of yourself. If you are not sure where to start or what this looks like, I can help you. I am talking about deep self-care practices. I see you. I witness what you are going through. I know how hard this is, and I know where your hearts are. I am sorry that you are suffering. I send you more than love and light; let me know how I can support you during this time. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Morgan! Morgan Williams, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Morgan Williams wear many hats and titles; however, it is the work with her own personal healing journey, which led her to the path of coaching and energy work. Morgan was a professional educator for 16 years, while running a small business for the last five. She is a single mom, to the BEST kid around, and she found herself totally burnt out. Something had to change, and it started with coming back to herself. She found yoga and coaching during this time. She remembers vividly, sitting there, paralyzed with a broken heart, and realizing that if her relationship with herself was better, no one person, could hurt her that deeply. It was her wake-up call and self-love, and true self-care was the first step and a total game-changer in her journey.

Written by: Marc de Bruin, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Time and time again, I hear clients ask themselves why “things” (events; situations, etc) happened in their life. They want answers to their “why-question”. Especially when their question pertains to events they perceive as negative. Clients then also often state that they are not able to move forward in their life/with their business/career, etc. UNTIL they find that answer. A client of mine did this the other day. She claimed to have confidence issues when it came to defining and creating her future career. Her statement was along the lines of: "if only I knew why I developed this lack of confidence, I would feel motivated to actually apply for jobs and go for interviews". Now, this statement is not totally off the mark. Often, finding out “why” something unwanted has happened (or is happening) in your life can have a healing effect, and can definitely make it easier to move on. IF -and that’s a big if- you can find that “reason why”; take learning from it; see how the events were beneficial for you in some way; how they actually helped you shape yourself; THEN some research into the “why” of unwanted events can indeed be wholesome and helpful. This "positive asset" search can assist you in transforming your future positively. For instance: if you find out that your fear of having a tricky conversation with someone was based on past events where you didn't come prepared and therefore "lost" an argument, then you can learn to properly deal with that fear by properly preparing, next time a tough conversation needs to be had. In that case, the fear might still rear its ugly head, but you then transform that fear into something useful (i.e. being prepared). Many people actually don’t work this way, with often detrimental effects. This is what happens way more frequently: You start retracing your steps to find out why things are currently bothering you. Your focus on the past becomes a negative one (why am I feeling bad? Why did this happen? Why me?), so your search for answers is already tainted. You don't feel good while questioning yourself. Often, you are not able to find a satisfying answer. Many a time, there is no answer at all; just more questions. That makes you feel worse. In having a negative focus, you find more "Stuff" to feel bad about (or: because the answer doesn't show, you start to feel worse as you now become desperate to find that answer, for fear that this will haunt you forever). In not being able to find an answer at all; not being able to find just one “right” answer; in realising more nasty questions are now popping up; you become quite overwhelmed and sad. This feeds into your present (already fairly negative) state, which exacerbates the situation, and makes you feel worse, still. Your brain and body translate the negative thoughts and mental images into body sensations (e-motions; energies-in-motion), and you feel a "pit in my stomach", or a "vice around my head", the “pain in my neck”, a “heartache”, tears, shivers or similar. The end result: you run the risk of becoming even more resistant to “the future”, stating that you will "never be able to do this", as the thoughts, mental images, body sensations and feelings are so overwhelming. In short: searching for answers in the past with a negative mindset (why am I feeling so bad/why am I fearing this?) can often open up a bottomless pit of more questions without any (or any satisfying) answers, and more bad feelings. Searching for answers in the past with a positive mindset (what can I learn from the past?) can allow you to learn your lesson and move on from there. Generally, I advise people who are feeling somewhat down and out not to delve into the past at all, until they are ready to see their life events in a more optimistic or useful light. My main aim is often to leave the past out altogether. You don't need to resolve your past in order to forge your future! There is -in my humble opinion- no need at all to know "the reasons why" before we can move ahead and create our desired future. Just start by moving forward! If anything pops up, you can deal with it THEN. I realise that this may seem contrary to what many counselling modalities propose; I am convinced, though, that digging up the past is often more detrimental than beneficial! There is lots to say about this topic from a mindfulness and Cognitive Behaviour or cognitive restructuring point of view -which I will, in articles to come. The main message today is: be aware of a felt need to "resolve" issues from the past when thinking about taking steps towards a better future. If you find, like my client earlier, that the road to the future cannot be taken unless the road from the past has been cleared of rubbish, then you are holding yourself back unnecessarily. Start walking. The only time you want to deal with things from the past is when you actually encounter them while on your way to the future! Simple. The past is history; the future is a mystery; today is the gift; that is why we call it the present. Simplify your life. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Marc! Marc de Bruin, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Marc is a Registered International Counsellor, Supervisor and Educator "with a twist". If you're looking for a run-of-the-mill mental health professional, feel free to contact one of his very capable colleagues. Marc looks at life through a different lens, with a transpersonal, even "spiritual" filter. Expect to discuss your life from a bigger perspective, while still being very practical (Marc is an ex-litigation lawyer, too, so very solution-focused); and expect to work from the inside out: YOU will change before your circumstances will. In order for things to change, you'll be the one to change some things. If that sounds like something you are up for, Marc is ready for you.

Written by: Scott Robinson , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Mental health is the foundation for all your relationships, thoughts and feelings. Prioritizing your mental health is extremely important for your overall well-being. Mental health awareness can significantly impact how you act, think and feel daily. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize your mental health just like your physical health. When your daily routine becomes too chaotic, you may be tempted to put your mental and emotional health on the back burner. However, mental health can significantly impact every aspect of our lives. To reconnect with the best version of yourself, you must consistently find time to boost your mental health. Mental health awareness can help you improve your well-being and help you avoid physical health issues. However, if left unacknowledged or neglected, mental health issues like anxiety and depression can worsen and disturb your daily functioning. While mental health issues may be challenging to recognize or avoid, small changes in behavioural patterns and new habits can help you prioritize your mental health. How You Can Prioritize Your Mental Health: 1. Make Time for Rest and Self-Care Making time for rest and self-care can be one of the most effective ways to balance out your mental health. Sleep deprivation has been linked to many adverse effects, such as irritability, anger and depression. Therefore, relaxing and practising self-care can help you avoid mental burnout, stress and fatigue. Self-care may look different for everyone. Finding a hobby, sport or activity that you enjoy that can help you mitigate the pressures of your daily routine can help improve decision-making and may even increase motivation. Even a few minutes of relaxation a day can be cathartic. 2. Set Realistic Goals and Expectations Setting realistic goals and expectations and fulfilling them as anticipated can be cumbersome. However, unrealistic goals and expectations can often be highly demotivating and mentally debilitating. While many may view lofty goals and expectations as ambitious, they can often be emotionally draining and add unnecessary pressure to your psyche. Instead, setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals can help you improve your mental health without compromising on a need for achievement. SMART goals can help consciously identify, acknowledge and work towards goals and expectations in a more focused, controlled and satisfying manner. This can help you prioritize your mental health by setting yourself up for long-term, attainable success. 3. Integrate Physical Activity Into Your Daily Routine Our current global landscape is increasingly moving towards digitalization and technology. Therefore, you may find yourself in front of your phones and computer screens for a significant portion of your day. You may even try to relax by watching television or browsing the internet. However, high screen time has been linked to poor mental health and may even contribute to depression, anxiety and brain fog. Watching television and browsing the internet can often further hinder our ability to relax, especially if the content is violent or contains graphic content. Therefore, spending time away from your desk and digital screens and integrating physical activity into your daily routine can benefit your mental health. Physical activity can also help increase serotonin levels and produce endorphins that can reduce stress, improve mood and alleviate pain. Low-impact exercises like yoga can also help lower stress hormone levels in the body, reduce anxiety and encourage mindfulness. A recent study conducted by the American Psychological Association has shown that 62% of adults feel that exercise is a highly effective stress management technique. 4. Eat More Nutritious and Balanced Meals Research has indicated a significant link between the food you eat and its effects on our mental health. An unbalanced diet could lead to mood fluctuations and an inability to focus. Furthermore, nutritional deficiencies could also lead to depression, irritability and cognitive decline. Therefore, ensuring that you eat nutritious and balanced meals daily is crucial. A healthy meal typically involves a wide variety of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and ingredients from numerous food groups. Staying hydrated, eating at regular intervals, and including protein with every meal are straightforward yet highly effective steps to improving mental health. 5. Spend Time In Nature Spending time in nature can have various benefits for mental and physical well-being. Activities such as gardening, exercising outdoors or spending time around wildlife have been shown to improve confidence, self-esteem and overall mood and potentially reduce stress, anger and loneliness. Ecotherapy has also been linked to increased mindfulness, motivation to exercise and opportunities for social inclusion and connection. Research has shown that people with the least exposure to nature in their childhood were up to 55% more likely to develop a mental illness than those with a large amount of exposure to nature. Therefore, spending more time in nature is extremely important and can be beneficial for helping you improve your emotional, psychological and physical well-being. Mental health awareness can be highly transformative for helping you avoid various mental health issues such as anxiety. Furthermore, increased awareness and prioritization of your mental health can help improve almost every aspect of your life. Therefore, the abovementioned list of tips can help you understand why and how to prioritize your mental health. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and Linkedin , and visit my website for more information. To receive a complimentary copy of my e-guide, ‘5 Things You Need to Start Your Yoga Practice’, subscribe here. Read more from Scott! Scott Robinson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Scott Robinson is a Finance Professional and Yoga Teacher. He is also the founder of Yogibanker ‒ a specialised yoga & wellbeing service for the financial services industry. He helped found 'dbYoga' at Deutsche Bank, one of the world's leading financial services companies as well as leading regular mindfulness sessions under the brand of 'Mindfulness Mondays'. Over the years, Scott has helped hundreds of finance professionals become stronger, more flexible and less stressed through yoga & mindfulness. Scott's passion is to bring yoga & wellbeing to the financial services industry ‒ one that is kinder, more sustainable with wellbeing at its core. Reference: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/young-woman-yoga-mat-relaxing-outdoors_21132360.htm

Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview Magnus Carl Hedman is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Beginning his career with AIK in 1990, he went on play in the English Premier League, Scottish Premier League, and Italian Serie A before retiring in 2007. Magnus now works as a football agent and advisor and is the founder of “ Hedman Sports management “. Away from sports, you can find Magnus speaking at events and coaching professionals to life and business success. You were once a professional Goalkeeper and retired in 2007, how was the transition from football to your new way of living? It was difficult for me. I struggled with a very important question and that was “who am I as a human being?” That led to uncertainty inside myself and I lost my way and needed to find meaning in my life. It took me almost ten years before I started to feel alive and grounded and create a life that I was happy with. Who is Magnus Hedman today? I am a person that loves to help others. A person who wants to live life to the fullest and enjoy each moment, I don’t just want to survive, I want to thrive. "I am a sensitive guy who would rather be out in nature exploring the natural beauty than heading to a nightclub for a night out." Why has helping people “change and evolve“ become an obsession for you? I wouldn’t call it an obsession but a great passion and my highest purpose in life. I love helping other people with my experiences and knowledge. One part of me has a “nothing is impossible” attitude and I find it so interesting to meet a person who is stuck and 45 minutes after is flying out from the room with clarity and direction. I know that change is possible for every single person, the main thing is to know where and how to start and have a strong and clear “ Why “ and follow your heart. What can we do every day to give ourselves the greatest opportunity to keep growing in our personal development? Do things for yourself! If you’re there for everyone else and don’t fill yourself first you will lose the most important person and that is you… It can be things like meditation, a walk in the forest, training, and so on. Things you know make you feel good but for some reason, at times you don’t do them, that then becomes the easiest way to lose yourself. Allow yourself to live to your fullest! If that means getting up an hour earlier every day, so be it. Be honest with yourself and if you succeed with something, don’t give all the credit to others. Allow yourself to appreciate what you do and who you are. If someone is at rock bottom right now, what is your message to them? Ask for help! There is nothing stronger than getting help from people who might have been through the same things as you or that might be professionals in the area of your struggle or need. One thing is clear; if you think and feel that you’re at rock bottom, don’t try to fight on your own to get up. The bravest thing you can do is reach out for help. I was laying on my sofa feeling sorry for myself and couldn’t see any light. One friend said to me: don’t try to solve it on your own. The only thing you have to do is get off the sofa. Get help with the rest. How do we get out of our way and stop limiting ourselves? It’s a mindset. The day I realize that I’m not the center of the world and start to accept new ideas and methods, that is the day I start evolving. It can also be the opposite, I say to myself that “I’m not good enough.” Says who? What do you need to grow? What’s stopping you? The way you filter yourself and the world is up to you. Most of the time there is a bit more to add to that reality… For more info, follow Magnus on Instagram!

Written by: Paulette Chaffee Skilled public speakers can move and influence thousands when speeches are executed with confidence. Paulette Chaffee, an educator and speech therapist, says that with the proper strategies and practice, anyone can become a more self-assured public speaker using these tips: Tip No1. Face the fear According to Forbes Magazine, the average person’s number one fear is public speaking. In fact, 76% of people have some type of fear or anxiety revolving around speaking or presenting in public. The fear of public speaking does not primarily have to do with the quality of a speech as much as it has to do with the feelings, thoughts, and actions a speaker faces when public speaking. Theories and research behind why so many people fear public speaking boil the reasoning down to four key contributing factors: physiology, thoughts, situations, and skills. Rather than just being aware of a fear existing around public speaking, it is crucial for a person to define what factors fuel that fear so they can face it and grow from it. Tip No2. Get comfortable with a talk When trying to shake any nervousness about an upcoming speech, practice is vital. The more comfortable speakers become with the words they plan to say, the less anxiety they are likely to have onstage. To get comfortable, consider recording a talk ten times and critiquing each take before filming the next try, working on any parts of the talk where critiques are made. This routine will allow a speaker to enhance their speech while becoming more familiar with the words and delivery desired. Tip No3. Practice making eye contact Public speakers want to build trust with their audience to help listeners have confidence in what the speaker is saying. Making eye contact is considered the first step to building audience members' trust. Therefore, speakers can practice their speech in front of trustworthy friends or family members to incorporate making eye contact with various people in the audience. Tip No4. Stop thinking about you Harvard Business Review released an article stating that people can overcome the fear of public speaking if they shift their focus and stop thinking about themselves. During a public speaking engagement, speakers can experience shaking, shortness of breath, and a flushed face, as another human’s watchful eyes can feel like an existential threat. Turning the focus away from oneself helps shift one’s mindset towards human generosity, reframing the mind to want to help the audience rather than feeling threatened by them. In addition, studies have revealed that increasing generosity decreases amygdala activity. The amygdala is set within the limbic system and sparks the fight-or-flight response. Tip No5. Trade filler words for pauses Reciting a talk multiple times can help eliminate filler words such as “um” or “like,” which can distract the audience from hearing the important message. Speakers should not be afraid of silence, which is often why people use filler words. Replacing filler words with pauses helps to give listeners a break between thoughts, acting like a verbal period in a sentence. About Paulette Chaffee Paulette Chaffee is a teacher, speech therapist, and attorney deeply involved in the Fullerton community. As an educator and member of various non-profit boards, her focus has always been on providing children with the highest quality education. Ms. Chaffee holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Redlands, a California Lifetime Teaching Credential, and is admitted to the California Bar.

Written by: Dr. Loren Michaels Harris, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Comment: “I love your outfit” Response: “What…this old thing?” Comment: “Your hair looks phenomenal” Response: “I couldn’t do a thing with it today!” Why is it that we as a people find it so terribly difficult to accept a compliment or receive something offered that speaks highly of us? For nearly 50 years of the 56 years I have been alive, I have at some point or another dealt with this very issue…low self-esteem. So much so, that up until just around five years ago I had no photos of myself (and if I did my hands were shielding my face in the pic), I brushed my teeth and shaved in the shower in order to avoid having to look at myself in the mirror. Yes…it was that bad! So how is it that I am currently able to participate in professional photo shoots, one of which I had just this morning. How is it that I am comfortable seeing my face on the covers of magazines and on giant screens when I grace stages around the world to share my story? The answer is simple; I was finally in mid-life able to process the truth that my perfection is found within my imperfections. You see, for decades I allowed my mindset to be controlled by what I today am aware was more of a dictator/commentator than that voice I now adhere to, “The Narrator of my story”. That dictator, commonly referred to as “Stinkin’ Thinkin’ was allowed to broadcast one tragedy after another for as long as I allowed him to, thereby conditioning me to see myself as less than, not good enough, ugly, inadequate, and many times…cursed and not worthy of even living. As a product of the Foster System, having endured being shuttled between 22 different foster homes over a five-year period, is it no surprise that I lost most of the confidence and self-awareness of my own worth over that period? Today I am acutely aware that much of the pain and suffering I experienced well into my fifties, was a direct result of my feeling shamed and damaged from many of the experiences within my youthful journey, none of which were of my own choosing. So back to why it is that we as a people are so dead set on not feeling comfortable accepting praise and encouragement from others. It’s fairly simple when we truly look at it… we love recognition, but we suck at accepting it! As the Harvard Business Review reported, 88% of people associate recognition with a feeling of being valued, yet 70% also associate it with embarrassment. In my personal situation, for nearly all my adult life I had carried undue shame and embarrassment over having had 22 mothers, slept over the years in more temporary bedrooms than some people experience in an entire lifetime. I had carried with me a scarlet letter of shame for having been seen time and time again by neighboring children who resided on those streets that housed the foster homes I moved between, simply because many of them had witnessed me arriving with my state issued trash bag containing everything I was allowed to call “my life”. This mindset which was being cultivated for my by outside sources was to haunt me, control me, and discourage me for decades…all without me even knowing of its’ existence within me. Then one day I was flipping through a paperback dictionary, not really looking for anything in particular, not even searching for the meaning or spelling of any certain word…just ‘mindlessly turning pages’, when my eyes landed on the word ‘IMPERFECTION’. I shall never forget how instantly my focus was directed to the space between the “M” and the “P” in that word. I saw that by simply dividing that word into two words…I saw the truth that would change the way in which I viewed myself and others, for the rest of my life. I saw that “I’m Perfection” was the truth, and not those lies and deceptions that the broadcaster of tragedy had always attempted to convince me of. I saw once and for all that there was absolutely nothing for me to be ashamed about wherein it came to my having had 22 mothers, for each of those women had played the role within my life that they had been chosen to play. I realized that it is within my imperfections that I find and embrace all that is perfectly perfect about me and within me! Imperfections provide us with our core unique qualities and gifts. Imperfections are proof that perfection is nothing more than an empty and valueless quest. Imperfections are those qualities that provide us stories that not only can change the world but allow us the ability to live on beyond our deaths within this very world. So, remember the next time you feel less than, lower than, unattractive, unloved, or un… anything, you are perfect just the way you are! Remind yourself that the next time someone pays you a compliment, to not strike it down as if it were an enemy or foe, but to embrace it and receive it as the gift of truth it is. We each are unique in our own ways, and it is because of our imperfections that we are simply put…PERFECT! Until next time, Xoxo Loren Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Loren! Dr. Loren Michaels Harris, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Loren Michaels Harris strives to motivate, inspire, and uplift every person that crosses his path. Loren is the host of the daily interview talk show, Bathrobe Moments, and is featured on the e360tv Network, where Loren is also an Executive Producer. Loren has been heard on Larry King Live and NPR Radio, seen on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, and FOX. Loren has been featured on the covers of multiple magazines and has been featured within PEOPLE Magazine.

Written by: Nigel Beckles , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. When you begin to date someone new, there is usually an exchange of experiences and opinions, which can provide important clues regarding potential compatibility. You begin to assess whether he or she likes the same things or shares the same views on certain topics. You will find similarities and differences, but these differences do not necessarily mean pursuing a relationship with the person is a waste of time. Every couple experiences disagreements, but the key to resolving differences is to seek a solution both partners can accept. If people can't find a way to work together, compatibility problems can start to show up, which can result in very serious conflicts. Two people can have different tastes, styles, and worldviews and still have a successful relationship. Often, each person finds the stark differences in their partner intriguing; they appreciate the different personality traits and often stay together because they complement each other. For example, a normally shy person may feed off their more gregarious partner, and vice versa, so each partner finds aspects of themselves they are missing in the other person, which makes the relationship mutually supportive and helps it to thrive. The key to success in this type of relationship is that each partner respects the views and opinions of the other. It usually takes a period of time before you discover if you have met someone who is really compatible, so take your time instead of committing to a relationship too quickly. While unresolved emotional problems can cause a person to create difficult and unhealthy relationships, becoming romantically involved with someone who has a compatibility hazard can present huge challenges that may be impossible to resolve. These hazards are not usually obvious and may be dismissed or ignored at the beginning, but they often surface after the relationship has been established. In this article, we will explore several issues that can frequently cause major problems. The Long Distance Relationship Many relationships have begun this way and succeeded, but there can be a variety of potential hazards. Long distance relationships can be romantic and exciting as you countdown to the next meeting, and this encourages couples to indulge in fantasies about meeting each other again. The distance also creates the illusion of a relationship, which may not be as good as it seems on the surface and lets each person avoid certain truths. A person in this situation knows the time available together will be limited, and this increases the longing to see their partner again along with increased sexual desire. Because of the limited time together, having a good time and often having great sex is prioritized.While the meetings are very intense and great fun, the goodbyes are usually sad and emotional. The romance and distance easily entice many couples into a dramatic fantasy where the focus is on the next meeting and seeing their lover again. This type of relationship can be highly romantic but is also a high risk strategy as the separation can encourage a great deal of unrealistic expectations and love myths to be played out mentally by one or both partners. Long-distance relationships can also serve as a distraction from asking yourself important questions, such as what this person is really like as a person. Each person is usually on their best behaviour, which creates an artificial interaction that results in only the positive aspects of each personality being revealed. If a decision is made to move closer to each other to spend more time together or even to live together, aspects of their true character may be suddenly revealed. Spending prolonged time together can uncover behaviours, habits, and attitudes that are extremely irritating, annoying, or frustrating, which can lead to serious disagreements. Serious compatibility conflicts may be revealed very quickly; tensions may build, resulting in a reduction of mutual sexual attraction and activity, and a ‘match made in heaven’ can swiftly transform into the relationship from hell. Reality Check! Various studies have shown that long distance partners tend to excessively idealise each other or view each other in unrealistically positive terms. It’s usually much easier to hold on to an idealised view of a partner when you’re not with them for significant amounts of time. The only way to discover if the relationship has a viable future is for each person to be authentic and true to themselves while pursuing normal activities together. Effective and honest communication is the key to dealing with any conflicts as they arise. An important element in any relationship is the shared intention of both partners. If a person is being strung along for convenient sex, obviously, it’s better to find that out sooner rather than later. There are no shortcuts to getting to know someone properly. The key to building a solid foundation for any relationship is to spend consistent, quality time with your partner. There are inherent constraints that restrict the natural growth and development of a long distance relationship because these types of relationships are by definition limited. This type of relationship isn’t necessarily doomed to fail; there have been many successful partnerships that began as long-distance liaisons. Differences Between Religious & Spiritual Beliefs Individuals who hold deep religious beliefs are usually taught a particular religion during childhood. Religious indoctrination at a very young age is often powerful and provides the foundation for adult belief systems and values that shape a particular worldview. A child who has been brought up in a religious home is unlikely to abandon their faith during adulthood and can be very resistant to even considering alternative concepts about life, death, and spirituality. Most couples don't talk about their religious beliefs when they're dating because they're too busy having fun and getting to know each other. However, different religious and spiritual beliefs can cause unexpected compatibility problems, with disagreements causing a lot of anger and frustration. It is important not to allow another person to control your views; failing to take the time to consider and define your own personal beliefs may leave you susceptible to being influenced by someone else’s. Allowing another person to strongly influence your beliefs means giving someone else permission to define your perspective. For example, if you become involved with someone who holds strong opinions regarding their religion, you may accept their spiritual or religious views during the early stages of the relationship but then decide to explore your own beliefs. Each individual has the absolute human right to decide what they believe for themselves, but choosing a different belief system than your partner will often cause major disagreements. Exploring Religion & Spirituality We live in a diverse world where many different beliefs compete to be heard or even dominate. There are people who don’t believe in any type of spirituality, religion, the paranormal, or the existence of God. Others believe in various spirits, angels, astrology, numerology, alternative dimensions, or paranormal activity. There are individuals who believe in their personal interpretation of God but who are not involved with any type of religious organization; they rarely attend a church, mosque, or synagogue but have a flexible approach within their own personal belief system. A person may choose to demonstrate their beliefs and values through their behaviour and attitudes instead of being a slave to religious rules and doctrines. You may decide religious or spiritual practice doesn’t interest you, and it’s absolutely your personal right to make that choice. In the dating game, it is always sensible to discover a potential partner’s views on religion, spirituality, and children. Most men and women have clear ideas about how children should be raised, and when a relationship gets serious, the possibility of getting married and having kids is likely to come up. Suggested Questions Is your partner of the opinion that parents have the right to teach their kids to believe in a certain religion and limit what they can learn? Do parents have the right to bring up their children in an atmosphere of strict religious dogma? Should parents have the right to insist their children strictly follow their faith? If a child grows up and rebels or abandons the faith, should the parents and religious community reject their son or daughter? When a person has strong religious or spiritual beliefs, this will have a great influence on their views regarding how their children should be raised. If there is a significant difference in religious or spiritual beliefs, this can result in very serious disagreements when the relationship has already been established. If you hope to have children, it is vital to share your personal views and expectations regarding how they will be raised concerning their religious or spiritual beliefs. Finding out what a potential partner’s religious or spiritual beliefs are may not seem like a big deal during the dating phase, but this issue can cause major problems. The simple way to avoid this potential compatibility hazard is to raise the subject during the early stages of dating someone new. These matters can be discussed generally, and the responses provided will often offer valuable clues as to whether there could be any potential conflicts. Any serious delay or reluctance to discuss this topic can lead to major problems; hiding or avoiding the truth regarding your spiritual beliefs can be a major mistake if significant differences are later discovered. No matter how much love a couple has for each other, the relationship could be doomed, which would be very sad and painful. Already Involved The question, ‘Can a couple with different religious backgrounds work?’ comes up quite regularly in my relationship forums. It’s obvious that if a person is a fervent atheist and becomes involved with a partner who is deeply religious, there are probably going to be major disagreements. These conflicts have the potential to tear the partnership apart as a couple experiences deep conflicts regarding different belief systems, traditions, and attitudes. A couple committed to the relationship can conduct research regarding mixed denomination partnerships or seek advice and support from their respective religious spiritual advisors or support groups. The reality is that a person with deep religious beliefs is likely to be intransigent if a workable compromise cannot be achieved, and if so, the relationship simply isn’t viable. Leaving a relationship due to this compatibility hazard is a small price to pay for your emotional, mental, and spiritual freedom, along with your peace of mind. Don't let a partner force you to follow a certain religion or belief. It's very important to follow your own conscience, inner guidance, and personal path, wherever they lead you. Toxic Ex-Partner One of the most difficult compatibility hazards to deal with isn’t always obvious until the relationship has been firmly established. A toxic ex-partner can cause severe problems and create havoc in your relationship. There are men and women who will refuse to accept a relationship is over and will be extremely upset when they realise their ex-partner has found happiness with someone else. These kinds of vendettas don't always start right away. Passive-aggressive behavior, harassment, and psychological warfare may not start until it's clear that your current partner is moving on with their life and is serious about getting back together with you. Men and women who refuse to accept and respect their ex-partner has moved on typically include: Refuse to acknowledge your relationship. Fail to respect your privacy. Try to cause problems between you and your partner. Refuse to respect certain boundaries despite being your partner's ex. Turn any children from the previous relationship against you or your partner. Before he or she became involved with you, they may have been still recovering from their previous relationship for a variety of reasons, or perhaps they were rejected. In my experience, the partner who is rejected in a relationship usually feels far worse than the person who decides to end the relationship. This can leave someone feeling rejected, hurt, not ‘good enough’ or lacking full emotional closure. An ex-partner or lover sabotaging your relationship is likely to provoke negative emotions, including: Angry when your partner appears to be giving higher priority to his ex-partner’s feelings than to your own. Angry when your partner doesn’t understand how you feel while accusing you of being insecure or jealous. Frustrated and impatient when he constantly makes excuses for his ex-partner. Resentful when your partner excludes you from certain aspects of his life that include his ex-partner (for example, picking up or returning children for visitation) in order to "avoid any problems." Worried or scared when you know the toxic behaviour is clearly escalating but your partner dismisses it, saying it's not a "big deal" or that they will "sort it out," despite the fact that you know your partner is dismissing your concerns. In extreme cases, men and women with personality disorders can be obsessed with destroying the lives of others and commit terrible acts. Ignoring toxic behaviour or being in denial could even be dangerous, and any reluctance on his part to establish clear boundaries will probably encourage her interference or any toxic behaviour. Dating Paying attention to any red flags and asking pertinent questions during the dating phase may reveal whether or not he has any ‘unresolved issues with an ex-partner. Questioning a partner about their relationship history doesn’t guarantee they are going to tell you the complete truth; they could be worried about telling you about a toxic ex-partner because he or she doesn’t want to scare you off. There could also be concerns that they may be judged harshly for being involved with an ex-partner who may be emotionally unstable. Already Involved Do not ignore the warning signs and refuse to accept any excuses your partner may offer regarding his ex-partner’s behavior. Where there are issues due to serious disruption and sabotage caused by the ex-partner, it’s your partner’s responsibility to deal with the problem. Don’t wait for the problem to solve itself because it won't, so discuss the matter with him and make your concerns very clear. Your partner is just as responsible for how their ex-partner acts if they haven't set clear boundaries. If your partner has set clear, firm boundaries, it's unlikely that their toxic ex-partner will be able to hurt them, no matter what they do. If your partner is allowing their ex-partner to undermine the relationship and makes it clear they are not prepared to take action, explain how this makes you feel and give them an ultimatum. Explain that the situation is unacceptable and that you will only remain in the relationship if they establish clear boundaries with their previous partner. It will probably hurt to end it but the emotional costs will be much higher if you decide to stay, hoping that things will get better. If your partner will not support you, things will only get worse. In this type of relationship dynamic, it’s also important to look at yourself and consider if you are being unreasonable. If you suspect you have jealousy issues due to your partner having a friendly and appropriate relationship with his ex-partner, which is not causing unreasonable disruption, you need to be honest with yourself and make arrangements to tackle the issue. Seriously consider attending counselling or therapy either on your own or with your partner. Whatever you decide to do, understand that doing nothing is not a realistic option. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Nigel! Nigel Beckles, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Nigel Beckles is an Author, Certified Relationship Specialist & Coach, holds a Dealing With Narcissism Diploma and Psychology of Relationships Diploma. He is an Educator, Online Adviser and Workshop Facilitator. Nigel is a contributor to the award-winning documentary ‘Looking for Love’ available on DVD and online. He is also the creator of the podcast 'Interesting Conversations with Interesting People' featuring Interviews with Award-Winning Authors, Therapists & Relationship Life Coaches. All Podcasts Available @ Website: www.authornigelbecklespodcasts.com his work involves guiding men and women through difficult relationship issues. Sources: Book Extract: ‘How to Avoid Making the BIG Relationship Mistakes!’ Available @ Amazon https://amzn.to/2KqM0A0 12 Key Points of Compatibility Nicole Beasley |Updated October 5, 2022 https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/12-key-points-of-love-compatibility/ 9 Signs You Are Mistaking Compatibility For Love Kristine Fellizar July 15, 2021 https://www.bustle.com/wellness/signs-youre-mistaking-compatibility-for-love

Written by: Karuna Jain, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. What is Past Life Regression? Past Life Regression is a technique used to access the many lifetimes we have lived. It is based on the principle of reincarnation. We go through the cycle of birth and rebirth till we reach the state of Enlightenment. In each birth we take, we have experiences, emotions, beliefs, learnings, wisdom, unresolved issues, patterns, and habits. All that is part of you, it is recorded in your energy field, in your energy body. Our soul wants to expand in consciousness, to grow continuously till Enlightenment is reached. The hope is we keep expanding in every lifetime, learning, and gaining wisdom. Enlightenment is understanding all of creation, how and why creation happens, what is this Universe, and what our role is in it. That is huge. We live many lifetimes, learning and accumulating knowledge and wisdom in each lifetime till we reach a lifetime where we understand it all. This results in perpetual peace, harmony, happiness, and joy, an enlightened being. We are spiritual beings in the human body. Another principle to understand is the theory of Karma, which is basically you reap what you sow. All actions that you take, all choices that you make, have cause and effect. This is all stored in your karmic body which is part of your energy body. You carry your Karmic body with you to every lifetime. You leave your physical body behind but take your energy body with you to another lifetime. Your current lifetime is affected by all that resides in your energy body, all that you experienced and left unresolved in all lifetimes. Everything that you are manifesting in this lifetime, all the people in your life, all the situations, your talents, and your abilities are greatly impacted by the karmic/ energy body. Another way to understand past lives is to think of yourself as a pearl necklace. Each pearl in the necklace represents a lifetime of yours. All the pearls are connected together to form a single necklace. If I move one pearl up and down, all the pearls in the necklace are affected. Each of your lifetimes is affecting every other lifetime. Why is Past Life Regression important for enjoying great health? We are energy beings. We are not just a physical body. We have an emotional body, a mental body, and a spiritual body. Each of these bodies are storing information from all of our lifetimes. Together they form our energy body. The bodies are interrelated. To enjoy great health, you need to have balanced emotions, positive thoughts, and strong moral values. We have spent many centuries understanding the physical body. Yet we don’t have root causes for most of the diseases and discomforts we experience. The root cause lies in all of the other bodies. It is time now to take care of all of our bodies. There is a lot of scientific evidence about the energy body and its correlation to health. I grew up using Homeopathy for any health issue. The homeopathy doctor would spend more than an hour with each patient. He would understand the personality, habits, behavior, emotional state, and mental state of his patient besides the physical symptoms. Then he would accordingly prescribe medication. There was not one medicine for an issue. It depended on many factors. Even for the common cold, there are many different homeopathic medicines. I believe it is the same in Ayurveda, the thousands of years old modality of healing. Now we have many more holistic healing modalities such as Energy Healing, Energy Medicine, Sound Healing, Vibrational Healing, Shamanic Healing, Plant medicine, Past Life Regression, In-Between life regression, and more. In each of these modalities, the human is looked at holistically, that is all of his bodies are taken into consideration to heal from any issue. Past Life Regression is an amazing technique to go into our other lifetimes and clear up the energy blockages, the emotional/mental baggage, the limiting beliefs, unhealthy patterns, and limited knowledge. This is a really great technique if you have a chronic condition. Then maybe your condition is due to things happening in many of your previous lifetimes. Some of the benefits of Past Life Regression sessions are: Understand why some people are in your life, what is their role, and what soul contract you made with them. Having a higher spiritual understanding of a relationship creates healthier relationships, releases negativity from the relationship, and provides learning opportunities. If you are on a spiritual journey, you want to have a deeper knowing that you are a multi-dimensional being or that you have lived many lifetimes, Past Life Regression will convert knowledge into knowing for you. Knowledge is linked to the mind. Knowing comes from the heart. Knowledge comes from external sources mostly. Knowing comes from your experience. An amazing shift happens in your energy field, an expansion in consciousness when you have this experience. This creates a big shift in your perception of this lifetime, in understanding ‘Life is a play’ as stated by Shakespeare. To clear energy blockages. This could manifest as feeling stuck, having phobias, anxiety, stress, and depression. Or it can manifest in physical issues such as shoulder pain, stomach issues, etc. Each physical issue is like the tip of an iceberg. Underneath it lies a mountain of emotional, spiritual, and mental baggage. To truly heal from a physical issue, you have to take care of your other bodies. Go across lifetimes. An unbalanced energy body could result in a mentality of lack, block abundance in many areas of your life, and create difficulty in reaching a goal. It can result in low vitality, low energy, suicidal tendencies, and difficulty attracting the right partner or soulmate. This may be coming from many lifetimes. You can bring back your learnings from other lifetimes that will help you in this lifetime. This is truly magical. Is Past Life Regression safe? It is important to go with a trained and experienced Past Life Regression therapist. The therapist will create a sacred, safe, and protected energetic space to do the session. Sacred space allows only experiences that are in your highest good to be revealed during the session. Safe and protected energetic space allows only beings of higher consciousness to be part of the session. These beings are your higher self, your spiritual masters and guides, and the divine team of the therapist. An experienced therapist knows how to facilitate the session, keep an eye on the client at all times and use her/his deep intuition to understand what and how to say the right words during the session. I have been doing hundreds of Past Life sessions over the years. I am deeply intuitive and know exactly how to guide the client through relevant experiences from a lifetime and moving from one lifetime to another. I also do actual healing work in your past life just like I would do in the current life. This ability was granted to me several years ago by my divine team. Just viewing the past life releases a lot of stuck energy, gives an opportunity to see your patterns, and brings back the learnings. Deep healing happens during the session. My journey with Past Life Regression Past Life Regression has been an amazing tool for my spiritual growth. I started by having others do the session for me and quickly moved to do it myself. I have visited hundreds of my past lives. Just to expand on this, we live in other bodies, in spirit form between taking human incarnations. This is called the In-Between Life session. There is a lot of learning in this state also. I am truly fortunate to have these tools available to me. I have done healing and teaching work in many lifetimes worked with energy and studied energy in mystery schools. I have been able to bring back a lot of my learnings from these lifetimes. This has expanded my knowledge of the human journey. I have so much respect for all that we go through on Earth. My perception of life is very different from most people's. This has helped me go through my dark periods with compassion and tolerance and come out of these periods stronger than before. It has expanded my ability to love myself unconditionally. The more love I bring into my energy field, the stronger it becomes. This allows me to share this love with others easily. All of my healing work happens from a place of unconditional love. Past Life and In-Between Life are my magical tools to continue expanding my consciousness. I do want to leave this life with a way more expanded consciousness than what I came in. Extra Information: I have created videos to talk about Past Life Regression . It is available on my YouTube Channel , Karuna Healing Center. Visit my website http://www.karuna-healing.com to know more about my services and/or schedule a Past Life Regression session. I offer free ½ hour consultation. You can connect with me from my website or send an email to info@karuna-healing.com . Feedback and comments are welcome. Best wishes for your life journey. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Karuna! Karuna Jain, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Karuna Jain is a certified Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, Energy Healer, Past Life Regression therapist, and Corporate speaker. She combines science and spirituality in her work. She conducts classes on various topics including teaching Reiki healing. Her clients are global. She is into metaphysics, multi-dimensional realities, consciousness expansion, reincarnation, soul integration, and meditation. She is very passionate about empowering people to take care of their own health. Teaching and sharing knowledge is her major life mission. Her emphasis is on healing the mind and body through Universal Compassion. Her Mission: To assist her clients to reach their goals in a loving, compassionate, non-judgmental environment using the best of eastern and western methods of natural mind-body healing modalities.

Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview Bryce Gilleland has an MBA from Berkeley, Haas and a BS in economics from UCI. He operates Asha Capital Partners and previously ran the No.1 performing fund in 2020, returning 846%, which grew from $8M to over $600M in under two years. He also serves on the board of Global Glimpse, a non-profit supporting emerging leaders, and as an advisor on Berkeley’s Cal VC Innovation Fund, an early stage investment fund that partners with the school, sharing proceeds to help further education. You are a high-energy business veteran, cryptocurrency expert, has fulfilled various roles in Fortune 500 companies as a senior manager in investor relations and corporate strategy, and CEO of Asha Capital Partners. How do you handle such a big responsibility? It is through keeping your eye on the big picture. We provide a service and that means everything we do should be handled with careful consideration and effort. Then, making sure I have a great team that knows this as well so I don’t have to micro-manage activities as we all know the first principle of the company. We check in on big things, make sure we align with our purpose, and move forward. All of us handle large responsibilities in our day to day lives. Whether that is taking care of a family, running an organization, going to school, or all of the above. For any of these roles, those that stand out to me are individuals who were determined and predictive. In our day to day lives we all have the opportunity to positively or negatively impact others and working hard to do the right thing, I believe, is all a responsibility we all share. "This gets down to respect, and being a good human." For me, I like to treat others how I would want to be treated. My Mother always said the golden rule was “doing unto others as you would like others to do unto you.” I take this into account in any role I have and expect the same of my team. Is the next action I take something my family would be proud of? How could I do it better? What would a discerning customer want to see? Testing your actions and strategy against these questions helps get you, or your team, closest to a best possible outcome. For my current role that means clear and honest communication, diligence and determination in my work, and the desire to do my best, and of course lead by example. Taking that a step further means getting ahead of the curve. In the world of finance, we try to predict what is coming next and position ourselves in a way that can take advantage of that potential opportunity. In some cases this means being defensive, in others being aggressive. The end goal is what will positively support our customers and their goals. Managing other people’s money is a great responsibility and while what we provide is investment services, what we really provide is peace of mind. My goal is to ensure our customers know we are working hard to make their future as bright and stress free as possible. How did you end up in the cryptocurrency industry? My friends and I were always interested in investing. I was an Economics major and ever since I was a young kid finances interested me. I saw parents talking about them, and planning around them. I remember sitting around the kitchen table and hearing discussion, some good and some bad. My parents would hide little finance secrets with me and I wasn’t supposed to tell Dad about Mom’s credit cards, and I wasn’t supposed to tell Mom about Dad’s art collection. It was a stress I saw first hand on my family and something I’ve always sought to reduce for myself, and others. Also, while finance appeared boring to others, it was exciting to me. When I learned about cryptocurrency I saw a way of supercharging one’s portfolio. In my previous work I would give seminars on 401k investing and maximizing long-term retirement growth. In a good scenario one could expect 8-10% annualized gains. When I saw the opportunity of cryptocurrencies, and knew how quickly new technology could gain market share, it was clear to me that this was a way to supercharge a portfolio and more importantly, something I wanted to be in. The technology of the sector, and the simplicity of having humans not control all of the levers with policies that over and over again caused huge economic downturns, exemplified this opportunity. It also was an area that was growing more and more over time. That is, more and more people were getting interested, and the space was growing at such a rapid pace in terms of new companies and offerings. If you couple these things, the massive growth opportunity is clear. The thing to manage after the growth was the downside. Most newer spaces are more susceptible to large gains, but also susceptible to large losses. Cycles will always exist, this is simply human nature repeating itself. This meant be prudent: be focused on growth, and know when to turn that focus to protection. Protecting during a downturn means you have much more opportunity when the next uptrend comes along. For me it was clear, you could see decades of gains in only a few short years in cryptocurrencies. In 2016 I hopped in and worked hard to become an expert. Do you have any tips for people that have just started paying attention to cryptocurrency and are wondering whether to invest or not? Are there any specific things you need to know about or avoid in the beginning? I recommend a focus on the long-term. While you can supercharge a portfolio, you also need to be very cautious. Most people who ask me about crypto ask “what’s the next big coin?” They see it as a get rich quick scheme and just want to find that one. While there are stories of that working, that’s rare and chasing that dream leads to disappointment over and over again. My tip is to understand the cycles and the timing. Generally Bitcoin, and cryptocurrencies, go on cycles. They have incredible returns for 1-2 years, then they pull back significantly for a year, then they go sideways for a year. Emotionally this means people get very interested for one year - typically at the end of the cycle - and buy at a high price. They then see it crash a year or less later and are disappointed. That’s the opposite of what you want to do. Most people invest in the space when the price is high and it’s all over the news - this is the number one mistake to avoid. The real method for making it in the space is to wait until the crash finishes and you stop reading about it on the news. When the sector and space is most quiet that’s when the opportunity is the greatest. The price has declined and there is a sense of fear and “will it just go to zero?” That is when Buffett’s phrase comes in “when others are fearful, be greedy.” It may take a year or two to see your money grow significantly, but the upside potential is great. This again focuses the investor on long-term investment gains, not get rich quick schemes. It always makes me laugh that people are willing to put money into their 401k for 30+ years and just let it grow, but want crypto to make them rich tomorrow. If you even take the 30 year timeline down to three or four years, and set your expectations as such, you can find this space is an incredible opportunity. The other method, which others are also disappointed to hear, is devoting your life to the space and working very hard to find promising projects early and then invest across a variety of those. The problem with this is you have to change your entire life around, and then you are working to find a limited number of spots against people who have been in the space for years. You talk a lot about the importance of diversifying your investment portfolio, can you elaborate on this? Yes, diversity of strategy, not just diversity of holdings. This is a concept I think nearly everyone could adopt more of. Everyone hears a diversified portfolio is key. Most people, and most financial advisers, stick to the common 60/40 portfolio. That is where 60% of your portfolio is in stocks and 40% is in bonds. While this sounds safe, like 2022 has shown us, this can lead to your whole portfolio drawing down. We call that systemic risk - when assets are all systematically correlated. What a diversified set of strategies can do is create opportunities during market downturns. Do you have a trend following aspect to your portfolio allowing you to short the market and ride trends downwards? These exist in almost all sectors and studies show that having a portion of your portfolio in trend following strategies, in the 20-30% range, can significantly increase portfolio performance over the long-run. This makes sense. If markets go through cycles, it is only a matter of time before the market turns down again. Given that, make sure your portfolio is prepared for such activity - that’s an example of diversification of strategy. There are many more complex opportunities like VC investments, arbitrage, foreign currency trading, etc. One can go down a rabbit hole, and my recommendation is find out about trend-following first and then continue to expand your alternative investments from there. For thinking about digital currencies, it’s carving out a piece of your portfolio that can fit into digital currencies. If you are risk avoidant, put in 2-5% of your portfolio. If you’re risk inclined and more interested in upside, 5-10% may be reasonable. I, of course, have a much larger portion of my portfolio carved out for digital currencies. That means it either owns digital currencies, or, like now, is in cash waiting to purchase them when I feel the price has declined significantly and we are again at a great value buy - we are close. Finally, what’s the next big goal or project in your career and how can someone get in contact with you? For me the next big goal is to help educate others on the possibilities for their portfolios and continue to educate people on how to safely invest in digital currencies. Most investors that I know that have ‘control’ of their lives have taken their professions seriously. Peace of mind comes from having a trusted advisor who manages their assets. There is a trust bond between both the investor and the advisor, that allows them to stay focused on their work without sacrificing returns. I have realized that many people don’t take active control of their portfolios, or know what their advisors are doing. While I know everyone can’t be interested in finance, knowing enough to be comfortable is important. Think of it like your health - you want to know what you are putting in your body, and how to maintain it. You don’t have to be a nutritionist, personal trainer, or Doctor, but it’s good to know the basics. I work to make sure all of my LPs, and everyone who wants to chat with me, can at least learn a little and have a growing level of comfort, without being overwhelmed by complex terms or market lingo. This is what leads to peace of mind and peace of mind is what investing is for - knowing you have a secure future. To reach me you can contact me at bryce@ashacapitalpartners.com, at https://www.ashacapitalpartners.com/contact-us or on LinkedIn.

Written by: Daniel Calugar The Federal Reserve has been getting a lot of attention recently as it attempts to stamp out inflation by instituting historic increases in the benchmark interest rate. But, while most people have heard of the Fed before, investor Daniel Calugar says some may need help understanding what the Fed is and its role in fiscal policy. These are essential topics to understand, as actions the Fed takes can have significant consequences on various financial matters -- as anyone who's tried to obtain a new loan such as a mortgage has found out recently. Below, investor Dan Calugar explains in depth what the Federal Reserve is, what it does and what happens when it makes a mistake. What is the Federal Reserve? The Federal Reserve System serves as the central bank of the United States. In essence, it's a financial institution that controls how and when money is printed and produced, as well as the system of credit within the U.S. The Fed has only been around for a little more than 100 years, as it was established in 1913 by then-President Woodrow Wilson following financial panic in 1907. Until then, America was the world's sole financial power that didn't have a central bank. Because of multiple financial panics leading up to the early 1900s, the U.S. economy suffered a few severe disruptions when banks failed, and businesses went bankrupt. The Fed was established in large part to prevent future disruptions and panics. The Fed has what's known as a dual mandate, which is set by Congress. It must work to ensure that prices remain stable in all parts of the economy, and it must work to support employment at maximum levels. Under that umbrella, the Fed does so by setting the overall monetary policy for the U.S. as well as regulating all of its member banks. This is quite a big job, of course, which is why The Fed is split into 12 different Federal Reserve Banks, each responsible for a particular geographic region. To prevent panics, the Fed is given rather broad powers to take actions they feel are necessary to ensure the country's financial stability. Daniel Calugar explains that this can be seen in how the Fed is currently acting. With inflation above 7% for each of the last ten months as of September 2022 -- and above 8.2% for each of the last seven months -- the Fed has stepped in to take action by increasing its benchmark interest rate. In doing so, they are walking a tightrope trying to bring down inflation while not causing a full-blown recession. What is the Federal Funds Rate? The Fed has a few primary tools at its disposal to guide monetary policy in the U.S., and the Federal Funds Rate is one of them. This rate affects all financial products that include an interest rate -- everything from debtor accounts such as personal loans and credit cards to savings accounts. Because of this, the Federal Funds Rate, in essence, dictates how much money actually costs in practice in our economy. This rate is set by the FOMC, or the Federal Open Markets Committee, at its eight meetings during the year. In doing so, the FOMC sets both an upper and a lower limit. The rate is determined based on several economic indicators, including the durable goods orders report and the core inflation rate, which provide general insights into the country's economic health. The Federal Funds Rate is used by the Fed's member banks to determine how much interest they should charge -- or how much they should be expected to pay -- if they lend or borrow from other Fed financial institutions. What are Federal Funds? Federal Funds encompass any excess cash reserves that financial institutions and commercial banks deposit at their regional Fed bank. These funds are used to ensure that banks don't fail and have sufficient funds to meet customer demand on any given day. Dan Calugar explains that each Fed member financial institution is required to have a certain amount of reserves on hand to meet customer demand. Any money they have in excess of that amount is considered Federal Funds. These funds can be used to give loans to other member financial institutions that may not have enough cash in reserve to meet what the Fed requires or lend as much as it wants. These loans are made between financial institutions with relatively low-interest rates to make borrowing more affordable for everyday consumers. Effectively, the rate that is used in these instances is the Federal Funds Rate. What are Open Market Operations? To affect the Federal Funds Rate, the Fed must take clear action. It cannot simply state that the rate has changed, for instance. The way that it does this is through what is known as OMO, or Open Market Operations. Through OMO, the Fed will either purchase or sell securities on the open market. This helps the central bank regulate how much money is kept on reserve at its member banks. If it feels as though the money supply needs to be increased, the Fed will purchase Treasury Securities. If it feels as though the opposite is necessary, it will sell these securities. Investor Daniel Calugar explains that through OMO, the Fed will be attempting to affect how much credit and money is available in the U.S. economy. In theory, when interest rates are higher, there will be less money in the economy and less borrowing. This is what the Fed has attempted to do throughout 2022 to stamp out inflation. When the Fed adjusts the Federal Funds Rate, its effects can also be felt in output, unemployment, and the overall costs of services and goods. What are Treasury Securities? Treasury securities are considered the safest of all investments in the U.S. The Fed and everyday investors have used them for years to bring financial stability and security, especially in turbulent economic markets. The reason they are so safe is that the federal government backs them completely. The yields on these investments are typically low, especially compared to other investment vehicles, but there is next to no risk of losing the principal amount that is invested. There are three types of Treasury securities, based on the maturity length. The first type is T-Bills, which have the shortest maturity range of any government bond. T-Bills are the only treasury security found in money and capital markets. The T-Bills that mature regularly do so either over four, eight, 13, 26, or 52 weeks. T-Notes are the mid-range for Treasury securities in terms of maturity date. The terms offered are two, three, five, seven, and ten years. Interest is paid on a semi-annual basis. T-Bonds are the third type of Treasury security and are referred to as the long bond because of the longer maturity length of 30 years. These are, as a result, seen as long-term investment vehicles, often a part of a diverse investment portfolio. Interest is paid semi-annually, and the bonds are auctioned monthly. What is the Discount Rate? U.S. banks have two ways that they can borrow money -- either from other member banks or directly from the Fed. Again, banks can take these loans for various reasons, to cover any shortfall in reserve cash, to address any problems they have with liquidity, or to prevent its ultimate failure. These loans are taken on a very short-term basis, usually for 24 hours or even less. When the Fed loans money to member banks, it does through its lending facility, which is called the discount window. The Fed will charge the standard discount rate as interest to the banks taking the loan, and that rate is, again, set by Fed. In most situations, commercial banks will only borrow from the Fed for emergency purposes when they cannot find another institution willing to lend them the money. In addition, the discount rates offered by the Fed have interest rates that are commonly much higher than the rates other banks offer. When banks must borrow from the Fed, it may signal to investors and other participants in financial markets that the bank is weak. What are Reserve Requirements? Fed member banks can loan their customers based on just a fraction of the total cash they have on hand at their facilities. The federal government gives them the ability to do so with only one requirement -- they have to keep a set amount of money on hand so they can cover withdrawals customers may request. The Fed sets this requirement because they don't want customers to be denied the ability to withdraw money they have deposited in the banks, according to investor Dan Calugar. If this were to happen, consumers would lose confidence in that bank -- and potentially the U.S. financial system as a whole. The amount the banks must keep on hand is referred to as its reserve requirement. In addition to setting the interest rates on excess reserves, the Fed also sets the reserve requirements. The Fed will use the reserve requirement to control the liquidity in the U.S. financial system. When they lower this reserve requirement, they are instituting expansionary monetary policy. This is because banks aren't required to keep as much money on hand, which gives them the ability to lend more. When the Fed increases the reserve requirement, it's instituting monetary policy that's contractionary. By being required to hold more money on hand, banks won't be able to lend as much. However, it does provide these banks extra protection against potential failures during economic downturns. How Does the Federal Funds Rate Affect Interest Rates? When the Fed adjusts the Federal Funds Rate, it doesn't just affect inter-bank loans; it also affects the economy as a whole. One of the most direct ways it does through is how it affects general interest rates offered to businesses and everyday consumers. When the Fed adjusts its funds rate, it immediately changes the prime rate. This is the rate financial institutions will offer their customers with the best credit scores. The prime rate also serves as the basis for interest rates offered to all other consumers. When the Federal Funds Rate increases, the prime rate increases as well, and so, too, does the interest rate charged on most consumer lending products. This directly affects credit, such as business loans, personal loans, credit cards, auto loans, and adjustable-rate mortgages. It also indirectly affects fixed-rate mortgages. Of course, the prime rate can decrease and increase just as the Federal Funds Rate can. What are the Implications of Higher Interest Rates? When interest rates are higher, money is generally considered more expensive. This is because it costs more for businesses and individuals to borrow money -- whether it be for everyday purchases on credit cards or larger, longer-term investments such as homes. Even slight increases in interest rates can cause things such as minimum monthly payments to go up substantially. In addition, for loans with adjustable rates, such as most credit cards, the same amount of outstanding principal may cost more to pay off after interest rates increase. As such, consumers will typically make significant purchasing decisions based on interest rates. For example, the average benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage had an interest rate of 7.32% as of November 3, 2022. That's a significant increase over what it was just a year ago, making homes much less affordable in late 2022 than they were at the same time in 2021. Consumers will generally spend less money when interest rates are higher. As a result, the demand for various services and goods will also drop, which can cause inflation to decrease. This is what the Fed is attempting to do now. On the other hand, higher interest rates mean better returns on deposit accounts such as savings accounts and Certificates of Deposit. What are the Implications of Lower Interest Rates? Lower interest rates will typically result in the exact opposite scenario. Daniel Calugar says when interest rates are low, borrowing money becomes significantly less expensive, which leads to expansionary actions by consumers and businesses alike. Businesses may take out more loans to fund investments in their business. This can lead to higher output and the need for more employees, which can lower unemployment rates. Consumers may similarly make larger purchases, such as cars and homes. They also may be more willing to make discretionary purchases since the interest they are charged on purchases is relatively low. When the Fed lowers interest rates, it does so to encourage people to spend money. It's typically done during recessions or challenging economic times, such as during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Fed's rate was near zero. This essentially made borrowing money "free," or at least close to it. That helped spur economic growth in the U.S. after the economy came to a grinding halt due to lockdown orders and massive restrictions on everyday life. Lower interest rates also result in lower returns on deposit accounts such as savings accounts and CDs. What Happens When the Fed Gets It Wrong? Since the Fed has such immense powers over monetary policy in the U.S. -- and since those powers are largely unchecked -- it can be disastrous when they get it wrong. Many economists believe that the Fed completely missed the boat with inflation in late 2021 and 2022, and the country is paying for it now. In the spring of 2020, the federal government took decisive action by passing a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill at the height of the pandemic. That helped to stabilize bond markets, recover stocks, and give households extra support they needed through expanded unemployment payments and direct checks. Two more "rescue" packages followed that, spending about $5 trillion to stimulate the economy. The Fed also played a direct part in the effort, increasing its purchases of short-term bonds by adding $3 trillion to the balance sheet. The result was too much money being spent, and the economy performed too well. With all that money in the economy, prices started rising rapidly. By August 2022, year-over-year inflation had increased 8.3%. In April 2021, that number was 4.2%. As nearly everyone in the U.S. knows, inflation has dramatically affected various aspects of life, from higher prices of gas and food to considerable dips in the stock market. How Can You Protect Yourself When the Fed Gets It Wrong? When the Fed gets it wrong, there are some tactics consumers can take to protect themselves. But, first, Dan Calugar says it's essential to understand the effect of the Fed's misjudgment, as that will determine the tactics to take. When the Fed increases interest rates, investors will typically start stocking up on short- or medium-term bonds. The yields on these will typically increase as interest rates rise. Series I Savings Bonds, for example, hit historic highs of 9.62% for most of 2022. Another tactic is to invest in companies that consume a lot of raw materials. The thinking here is that the cost of raw materials will either decline or stay the same when interest rates increase. That, then, results in these companies experiencing a higher profit margin. Many investors consider these types of companies to be solid hedges against inflation. On the other end of the spectrum, when rates drop due to a Fed mistake, consumers can take advantage of lower borrowing costs by refinancing their mortgage to a lower fixed rate. You can even take the savings you are realizing from your new mortgage and invest it in solid options during deflationary times. The Fed occasionally gets it wrong, but consumers don't have to be victims in the mess. Daniel Calugar says there are many things consumers can take to protect themselves when the Fed gets it wrong. About Daniel Calugar Daniel Calugar is a versatile and experienced investor with a background in computer science, business, and law. He developed a passion for investing while working as a pension lawyer and leveraged his technical capabilities to write computer programs that helped him identify more profitable investment strategies. When Dan Calugar is not working, he enjoys spending time working out and being with friends and family, and volunteering with Angel Flight.

Written by: Kaisa Siipilehto, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Do you want to feel in control of your life? And enjoy it fully?! There are many events we don’t have control over even if we wanted but we can control the most essential ones that have the biggest impact on our life. I believe our purpose is to enjoy life. And I want to see you on top of your game living the life you’re meant for. So, I want to share with you the secrets that changed my life and have been transforming the lives of my clients. Focus on these 3 essentials to create the life you want. I can’t wait to see your transformation! 1. Preparation It’s how I met my husband and changed my life! You want to be prepared not to miss any remarkable opportunity that comes to you and can change your life – now or forever. Think about what you want to prepare for so you won't regret it passing by. A job offer? The love of your life? Starting a family? Moving to a new city? Getting that dream house? What is important for you? What you can't live without? You might want to make a list of them all and invest in the preparation. Let's get you focused and unleash what you want! First, let me clarify what I mean by preparation. And how it can transform your life. For me, it all started with an urge to know who Kaisa is and what Kaisa wants to be. This was ground-breaking but only the beginning of what I was meant to experience. When I started shifting my thinking and adding things in my life that brought me joy, I saw the world opening in front of my eyes. The inner work prepped me for dating and exploring what attracts me. As I got to know new people, men, I realised what I valued the most in a partner. So only a few hours after meeting my husband, I knew I wanted to get to know him better. Now over 5 years later I still do. I was ready for more. I left my home country to live with him and study a new profession and started a business on my purpose. Now I have the freedom and lifestyle I truly enjoy, a partnership that lifts me up and a meaningful way to help others transform their lives. I’ve mentioned the next essentials already. 2. Live by your highest priorities I used to live small and safe. I was so focused on building a secure lifestyle, career and home that I wasn’t thinking about what else could be there for me. Basically, I was living a mediocre life. This almost cost me what was important to me. When I was about to lose the man I love, I decided to take control of my life and happiness. This is when the fear of losing pushed me to make big decisions and needed changes so that I could live the life I was meant for. This moment in my life was groundbreaking because it made me think about what was the most important for me so that I could enjoy my life fully. Discovering my priorities and designing my life and career around them truly transformed my life. Now I’m not settling for a life half-lived. So have a look at your priorities and rate on a scale 1-10 how well you are living by them. 3. Master your attitude Making the needed decisions and changes in your life is not so easy. I was feeling very overwhelmed of all the moving parts and how they will impact one another. And there was plenty to consider and figure out to make the transitions happen from finding a tenant to updated insurance and starting a coaching program to building my business. As I mentioned, love and fear were my driving forces to kickstart my life transformation. But for me to follow through and take the needed steps, I needed attitude. This means mastering emotions and mindset. This is easier said than done but the good news is that you have everything you need. It just takes practice! First, notice your emotions and whether they are serving you. If not, master shifting your emotions to what you want to feel. Same for your mindset: notice if your thoughts are helping you to do what you want. If not, what do you want to think instead? You have the power to change your thoughts in seconds! Managing your emotions and self-talk will help you to master your attitude towards actions and changes you want to take on and feel excited about doing them! How ready are you to enjoy your life full out?! I’m hosting a workshop on this! If you want to learn an easy yet effective framework on how to improve your quality of life, career and relationships – yes, all at the same time in just one hour! – Sign up here now! Looking forward to seeing you in the next workshop! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kaisa! Kaisa Siipilehto, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Want to transform your life and future? Kaisa Siipilehto, the founder of LIVIO JOY Ltd and Courage to Lead Community, helps purpose-driven experts lead their vision with courage. As a Leadership Coach and Growth Enabler, Kaisa offers a fresh solution-focused approach combining insights from her corporate experience, business knowledge, and internationally recognized coaching methods. After ten years of progressing her career in brand marketing and enhancing customer experiences and engagement, Kaisa sought new opportunities to help the world work better. Certifying as a coach, living as a nomad entrepreneur, and building a business on her purpose have given her an understanding of what it takes to make major changes that improve life satisfaction, joy, and fulfillment. Since 2020, Kaisa has helped purpose-driven experts, leaders, and entrepreneurs from over 20 nationalities living around Europe and The Americas to focus on what matters to them and transform their lives and careers.

Written by: Jenny McCabe, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Do you feel uncomfortable talking about your prices with clients? Do you struggle with what to charge and often feel afraid that you're charging too much, so you set your prices too low? How you set your prices can determine how you value your time and whom you attract as clients. I spent my first few years in business under-charging and over-delivering. I was practically working for free for some clients. I ran myself into the ground, trying to please them, and to be honest, I ended up resenting them for not appreciating me! Every time I dropped my prices to win business, I gave away my power, and those clients inevitably became the most challenging and demanding clients to work with. I was stressed, and frustrated and no matter how hard I tried, they were never happy. As a people pleaser (now recovered) it made me feel that I wasn't good enough to raise my fees and that I was unworthy of having a successful business. Not to mention, the effect it had on my pocket. Undercharging and Over-delivering Undercharging is a huge challenge for women entrepreneurs and it's one of the fastest ways to kill a business. I've worked with a lot of women in business and there's a lot of fear around pricing and the mere mention of a price increase can send many into a cold sweat. The problem with low fees is, they can undermine your creditability and confidence because people naturally put a higher value on something if it's more expensive, as they believe it must be better quality. But more importantly, there is also a direct relationship between your money and your self-worth. We live in a society where money is used as a measure of value and if you don't truly believe that you have value, it'll feel hard to charge your worth. On a conscious level, we crave a successful business, more money, more impact, and more freedom but if you unconsciously believe that you're not worthy to have financial abundance, you're going to push it away. You'll undercharge and over-deliver just to prove your worth, you'll struggle to attract or keep it, you'll overspend, fail to save, be over-generous and give it away. To add insult to injury, when you go in with low fees, you attract the wrong type of client and you also have to keep working twice as hard as everyone else to make ends meet. I've had to do a lot of inner work to transform my self-worth and what I've learned is if you don't value YOU… CHOOSE you … know YOUR magnificence... No one else will because the continued cost of undercharging is a lack of freedom and living a life of comprise that will cost you your dreams. Reasons for Undercharging When I host my webinars, I run a poll at the start asking attendees why they haven't raised their fees and the top 3 fears are: 1. What will people think of me? So many women have a fear of being judged. They're so worried about what people in their industry or potential clients will think about their fees in case no one will buy from them if they raise the prices and move to premium pricing. Women give all their energy to feeling judged instead of focusing on the people they were meant to serve. People will always have an opinion and you probably won't like it so don't give it any power. 2. Will I lose my clients? One of my clients has a social media agency and by the time we started working together, she had been in business for 6 years. She is amazing at what she does, but she had never once raised her fees. Meanwhile, the cost of living has gone up a lot in 6 years. She was stressed, worried about the future, and just about getting by. She knew on a soul level that she had to raise her prices but the fear of losing her clients was far greater than her desire to raise her fees and claim her worth. And guess what, during our coaching together, I discovered that some of her most challenging clients were on the lowest packages but demanded the most attention. Sound familiar? When she raised her prices, some of those clients didn't up-level with her but because she had created a vacuum, she very quickly replaced them with new clients at a much higher rate, and just like that, her monthly income almost doubled without working any harder. 3. Am I good enough to raise my prices? This is a very common fear, especially for new business owners, they don't feel that they're experienced, skilled, knowledgeable, or qualified enough, or their program, course, or product isn't perfect yet or any number of reasons why they don't feel they are good enough to raise their prices. This is a limiting belief about self-worth and is one of the hardest abundance blocks to overcome when it comes to undercharging and one of the root causes of imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and procrastination. Why You Need to Raise Your Prices In my experience, most women have the same fears around raising their prices, and maybe even, just the thought of putting up your prices, might feel uncomfortable or even downright scary but there is no other strategy that impacts the success and profitability of your business as much as pricing. There is no magic number or pricing formula because there is no such thing as a "perfect" price, it's simply impossible to please everyone. No, this is about you having the courage to choose yourself and saying "no thank you" to a life of struggle and "yes" to your desire to have more money, freedom, and impact. On an energetic level, pricing isn't just about money... it's a message to the world about you and how you empower yourself to unapologetically own your worth. The more you charge, the more you can step into the energy of a premium service but the biggest barrier for women stepping into charging premium prices is the mindset. Stepping into Premium Pricing Premium pricing is an opportunity for more money, ease, and joy in your business and allows you to thrive. Premium prices elevate the type of clients you work with and your sense of self-worth. Your work is of vital importance to your soul-aligned clients, and they need you to transform their life or business. The expertise that you have and take for granted is unique to you and is truly priceless to your soul-aligned clients. Premium Pricing is a mindset that helps you shift your focus to serving clients at the highest level and which also honours your worth. Lastly, premium pricing is not about being affordable to everyone, it's an invitation for your clients to step into a higher frequency and work with you at a higher and more meaningful level. For more pricing strategies and mindset tips, grab my free Pricing Playbook! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jenny! Jenny McCabe, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jenny McCabe is a Certified Money Breakthrough Business Coach and Spiritual Entrepreneur. She started her coaching business after working in the Franchise Industry as a Franchise Business Consultant. She has worked with dozens of women, empowering them to own their worth and build a six-figure business with heart, soul and ease, Jenny's transformational & spiritual journey to find her purpose work lead to her passion of helping women find their inner-power and connect to their soul. Her new signature program Aligned Feminine Business launches in 2023.