fortune gems 3 tips and tricks
fortune gems 3 tips and tricks
Traditionally, the holidays are for spending time with family and friends, perhaps with a varying degree of religious rituals or practices. There’s also pressure not to miss certain family celebrations, but there will be times you can’t make it – whether by choice or circumstance. So, if you’re spending the holidays alone this year, you’re actually not alone in wondering if it’s OK to be alone. You hold the ticket to your happiness, even if you’re spending the holidays (or any special day of the year) in a less conventional way—all by yourself. There’s no correct formula for how to spend the holidays, experts say, and keeping that in mind is key when you’re not going to be around your loved ones. Spending the holidays alone can feel lonely or empty, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Loneliness is an issue during the winter holidays for many students and other clients, according to Diana Winston, director of UCLA Mindful , the mindfulness education centre at UCLA Health. Not having people to spend the days with, “can compound any existing loneliness and worsen it during the holiday times,” Winston said. New York psychologist Dr. Bryant Williams agreed, noting that being alone during the holidays “accentuates existing problems.” Both experts suggest taking action to strengthen your mindset and fill your days with activities that you know nurture you. Step outside for some fresh air Go on a hike, take a walk in a park, visit the beach or engage in nature in a way that suits your lifestyle and location. Get out into “whatever nature you have available to you,” Winston said, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities to be outdoors. The benefits of simply being outside and surrounding yourself with nature are plenty, and why not rack up those benefits when you’re spending the day or week alone? In the practice of forest bathing, one spends time in nature through activities like a walk or sitting and enjoying the environment, Dr. Leana Wen previously told CNN. “Forest therapy” can lower anxiety, improve mood and reduce blood pressure, studies show . You can simply take a walk, and make the most of that walk. A higher daily step count is linked to fewer depressive symptoms, according to a recent study in the journal JAMA Network Open. And it’s not an impossible number—even 7,000 steps can lead to better mental health, said clinical psychologist Dr. Karmel Choi, who previously spoke to CNN. 'Zoom in' to celebrate You don’t have to miss out on all the fun just because you can’t be there to celebrate in person. Williams recommended people take action to reach out to people with a phone or video call. Do something “similar to what people did during the pandemic, when people were so isolated,” he said. “People, because they weren’t spending time with each other in person, started spending a lot of time on Zoom.” Social experiences are important to health, so carving out time for this can improve your well-being. More specifically, reach out to loved ones who make you feel good about yourself since positive social interactions are linked to better coping and lower stress, research shows. If your schedule and circumstances allow for catching up in-person, aim for a spontaneous coffee meetup with a friend or accept your colleague’s invitation to join their festivities. None of the plans have to be grand, orchestrated celebrations. The point is to connect with someone at some point during the holidays if possible. Immersing yourself in nature can offer a multitude of health benefits. (Oscar Wong/Moment RF/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) Volunteer where people need help Volunteering, such as at a children’s hospital or at a nursing home, can be beneficial for those spending this season alone. You can also find opportunities to serve meals at a soup kitchen or food bank in your community. Some locations could use the help to hand out food at a holiday meal pick-up centre. “There’s all sorts of structured activities that people can engage in when they’re spending time with other people, even strangers, and they’re doing something thoughtful and nice for them,” Williams said. That kind of an activity can impact one’s brain in a positive way. “If someone takes action, they get outside of themselves, then they’re thinking about other people,” Williams said. “People generally feel better when that happens.” Treat yourself to something nice You might be missing only your grandma’s mac-and-cheese or wishing you were baking pies for many to enjoy. It’s common for holidays to evoke images of people gathering around a shared meal. If you’re alone, try to cook something special, order takeout or order something delicious at a restaurant, Winston said. If you’re going to be out of town on a work trip, research the best nearby restaurants to your liking and splurge on a nice dinner. If you’re choosing to be a homebody this year, be as lazy or as complex as you’d like with the meal—if it nurtures you. Rituals Rituals and fun family routines around the holidays are an important part of celebrating and maybe what you are missing most this time of year. “Can they perform some ritual that punctuates the day and makes it feel special in some way?” Williams said. Taking a hot bath, getting a massage or playing a sport can be nurturing to some people, Winston said. Light the menorah, hang up a stocking on your fireplace, or do the New Year’s Eve countdown for yourself. You can observe the days however you’d like without disagreements with others, judgment or the pressure of expectations. Get a head start on your to-do list Having a sense of accomplishment, such as by working on a home project, during this solitary time can also be one way to get through the holidays, Winston said. “People can be creative about their use of their time,” she said. Seasonal chores like raking leaves or shoveling snow, decorating your house or decluttering your closets can also count as functional exercise without hitting the gym. Reflect on the year Another more introspective activity is to take advantage of the solitude to plan for the new year or review the past year. “Especially for (the) new year, people love to reflect on the previous year,” Williams said. “And doing that in an intentional, structured way and even outlining the ways they want the new year to be different or even citing specific goals for the new year.” Spend the holiday creating new traditions, like creating a vision board or reviewing the highs and lows of your year in a journal. Rituals such as taking a relaxing bath can be important ways of honouring your time alone. (Oleg Breslavtsev/Moment RF/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) Shifting your mindset Winston suggests coupling actions with a strong mental approach—a mindfulness perspective— to help one with loneliness feelings. “Paying attention to our present moment experiences with openness, curiosity and a willingness to be with that experience” is mindfulness, according to Winston. “It’s really about learning to live in the present moment, not lost in the past or the future.” Understandably, the willpower to focus only on the now and block out the other noise can be challenging, and fully accepting that present reality is key. When things look and feel different and when one is in a transition period, clinical psychologist Dr. Adam Brown previously told CNN that there is no requirement to have the holidays look or feel the same as they had in the past. Compassion for yourself “Be compassionate with yourself and do the best that you can and know that this is a particular moment in the year,” Winston said. “There’s nothing wrong with you and you will get through it.” It’s also helpful to remember that not all those who are spending their holidays surrounded by people are having a good time. “We have a lot of input, demands and stress in general that is elevated during the holidays , so it is extra important to be attentive to your need for alone time,” Sophie Lazarus, a clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry and behavioural health at Ohio State University told CNN earlier this month. Due to some last-minute logistical challenges last month, I was unable to spend Thanksgiving with my family. Even though I knew I would be able to fly home the next day, I was still bummed to miss my family traditions. To make the best of the situation, I did as many of my favourite things as I could: I walked around my neighbourhood, read news magazines and sat for hours in a bustling coffee shop to write. To cap it off, I went to a special Thanksgiving dinner by myself at a local restaurant. I missed time with my family, but I would say I still had an experts-approved day. I highly recommend turning your day alone into a gratifying one, and even if you’re not going to be alone, try to carve out time for yourself in the midst of social obligations to help keep you grounded and serene.Indiana should be able to breathe easy this week. It has very little chance of making it into the Big Ten championship game. On the other hand, Georgia's spot in the Southeastern Conference title game is so risky that if the Bulldogs lose they might have been better off sitting it out.The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a message late on Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the Uvda investigative programme into Sara Netanyahu. The programme uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs Netanyahu by name and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu blasted the Uvda report as “lies”. It is the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus, highlighted by the PM’s ongoing corruption trial. Mr Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favours with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media.
NHL insider David Pagnotta revealed today that the Pittsburgh Penguins are dangling forward Bryan Rust on the trade market. Pagnotta revealed this news in a recent interview, echoing similar sentiments that have been made about the team this season. With the Penguins falling out of relevance in regards to the playoff race, we can and should expect a fire sale at some point, and Rust may very well be one of the pieces moved. Rust has played well so far this season. He has missed some time due to injury, but through 19 games he has 12 points including 7 goals. That is good enough to tie him for 3rd on the team in goals alongside fellow top-line winger Anthony Beauvillier . Penguins fans seem to be fairly split on the idea of trading him though. In a poll on X from last month, just over half of fans responded saying they would trade Rust this season, but a very large minority opposed the idea. That being said, the Penguins themselves are going to force Kyle Dubas' hand at some point. The team currently sits dead last in the Metro Division and is 26th overall in the NHL, giving them the 7th best odds to win the draft lottery. With the core players in Pittsburgh aging out, it is finally clear, without a doubt, that the Crosby-Malkin era is over. While both players are still on the team, they will not be making the playoffs again. At this point, the two of them still being there has more to do with nostalgia than being competitive. While Rust has been in Pittsburgh his entire career as well, that history is a lot shorter than Crosby and Malkin's so his departure would hurt less. Still though, any fan that has ever gone through a rebuild with their team knows how painful it can be. Sadly, in this case, Rust will be just one of many players likely to leave Pittsburgh over the course of the next 12 months. This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.
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CHOCOLATE lovers have been left stunned as Superdrug offers boxes of Celebrations and Ferrero Rocher for just £1. With Maltesers down to just 25p, and boxes of Ferrero Rocher , Celebrations , and Quality Street priced at only £1, shoppers are racing to snag these sweet deals. Shoppers have been quick to spread the word, with social media lighting up as people share their excitement over the jaw-dropping deal. One thrilled user exclaimed: "Get into Superdrug and get me 5!" Another joked: "At this price, we should postpone Christmas for two days. "We'd pay hardly anything!" chocolate,celebrations,retail Shoppers can take Giant Ferrero Rochers home for just £1 - the hollow milk and chocolate ball has long been considered a Christmas treat and now it's a budget friendly one too. In Tesco , a Maltesers Mini Reindeer is marked at £1.50 but at Superdrug the price has been slashed down to a mere 25p. This means chocoholics can pick up six Mini Reindeers at the bargain beauty retailers for the same price at one in Tesco . For those hoping to pick up something for the family, a Quality Street share box is only a pound. Most read in Money This includes 220g of individually wrapped chocolates ready to get you over the post-holiday blues. The product is so popular it has sold out online and you'll have to head into a store if you want to get your hands on one. Luckily, discounts don't stop there - Superdrug has a range of offers ready for when shoppers hit the high street again . The retailer is providing a free gift with selected Cosmetics. It's offering a free Rimmel lip oil in Pink Flush when you spend £12 on Rimmel products. You can pick up a L'Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray for free when you spend £15 on selected L'Oréal Paris Cosmetics. The Pout Clout Lip Plumping Pen is available when you spend £16 on selected e.l.f. Cosmetics, but this oly for online customers. Superdrug is offering L'oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renew Midnight Cream 50M for £14.99, down from £29.99. For those ready start their new years resoultion early, the Slimfast Powder Tin Banana 365G is on sale for £5. If you're looking to sniff out a good deal the Calvin Klein CKIN2U Eau de Toilette for Him 150ml is now £23.50, down from £56. There is free delivery for those spending over £25 on their online shopping online - this lowers to £20 for Health and Beautycard members. They are also offering a range of goodies for under a fiver . Similar to Aldi Specialbuys or the Lidl Middle Aisle, Superdrug offers This Week's Star Buys. These are weekly deals and offers on selected items for shoppers, with extra discounts for those with a loyalty card. Most Superdrug shops have a pink display case which will sometimes have a range of yellow sticker bargains. READ MORE SUN STORIES When products don’t sell from the clearance area, the retailer will slash the price to shift it quicker. If you can hunt down the clearance shelves or display when in-store, you might be be able to pick up some products for pennies. FASHION expert Abby McHale has shared her thoughts on Superdrug jewellery... Who would have thought the shop where you pick up all your beauty needs is also the place to go for jewellery. Well Superdrug actually has a rather large jewellery section. Online there are over 150 pieces to choose from and the best part is, most pieces are under £10. You can even pick yourself up the likes of a watch for £9.99 - bargain. Or you can stay bang on trend with tone drop earrings, chunky rings and layered necklaces. So next time you run out of mascara and head into Superdrug take a look at its jewellery range as I think you will be pleasantly surprised.Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.”
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JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Israeli leader’s corruption trial. The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a terse message late Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the “Uvda” investigative program into Sara Netanyahu. The program uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs. Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aid to organize protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs. Netanyahu by name, and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. But in a video released earlier Thursday, Netanyahu listed what he said were the many kind and charitable acts by his wife and blasted the Uvda report as “lies.” It was the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus — highlighted by the prime minister's ongoing corruption trial . Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favors with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. Netanyahu denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media. The Associated PressMidland, Texas, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (“NGS” or the “Company”) (NYSE: NGS), a leading provider of natural gas compression equipment, technology, and services to the energy industry, announced today that David Bradshaw has retired and resigned from its Board of Directors, effective as of December 10, 2024. Mr. Bradshaw’s decision to retire and resign from the Board was not the result of any disagreement with the Company or the Board. "The Board and I wanted to formally recognize and thank David for his thirteen years of service to NGS as a Director,” said Stephen Taylor, Chairman of the Board of NGS. “His knowledge of the oil and gas industry along with his significant operating experience provided unparalleled value to the Company and management over his tenure. His insight and advice will be missed by the Board. We wish him well in his future endeavors." “I want to thank Steve for inviting me on to the Board more than a decade ago,” stated Mr. Bradshaw. “NGS and its Board are in a very strong place and this gave me great comfort in my decision to retire. I wish the Company, the Board, and the management team well and I am confident they will continue to deliver for shareholders.” About Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (NGS): NGS is a leading provider of natural gas compression equipment, technology and services to the energy industry. We rent, design, sell, install, service and maintain natural gas compressors for oil and natural gas production and processing facilities, generally using equipment from third-party fabricators and OEM suppliers along with limited in-house assembly. We are headquartered in Midland, Texas, with an assembly facility located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a rebuild shop located in Midland, Texas, and service facilities located in major oil and natural gas producing basins in the U.S. Additional information can be found at www.ngsgi.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements involve a wide variety of risks and uncertainties, and include, without limitations, statements with respect to the Company’s strategy and prospects. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which are disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC, including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and its other filings with the SEC. Readers and investors are cautioned that the Company’s actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, fundamentals of the compression industry and related oil and gas industry, compressor demand assumptions, overall industry outlook, the ability of the Company to capitalize on any potential opportunities and general economic conditions. For More Information, Contact: Anna Delgado, Investor Relations (432) 262-2700 ir@ngsgi.com www.ngsgi.com
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has a broken left fibula and is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks.
Jack Daugherty scores 16 as Illinois State fends off Cornell 80-77
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law late Tuesday before backing down, placing the military in control of all government and judicial functions in a power grab that came after months of political stalemate. The hours of crisis and chaos have thrown the future of his presidency into doubt. As the military and police sought to contain protesters who had poured into the streets around the National Assembly, the president announced he would lift the order as soon as he could convene his Cabinet, heeding a defiant vote from the opposition-led legislature. The Cabinet met before dawn Wednesday local time, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, as protesters chanted for Yoon’s impeachment. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Tech Giants Bet Big on AI as Data Shows Clear Winners
President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction
