goals
Understanding your goals to help you achieve them.
What inspired you?
Hey there, good to see you again! Let me ask you something: where do you get your inspiration from to write your story? What or who did you base the character of your story on? Do you get inspiration from shows you have watched? Go through an event that was humorous, scary, or just made you think, Oh, what the hell?
By stephanie borgesabout a year ago in Motivation
Are “Healthy” Drinks Destroying Your Teeth?
Lassi, fruit water or fruit juice may seem like a healthy alternative to fizzy drinks, but scientists have proven that these types of drinks can cause irreparable damage to our teeth. However, not everything is bad. A team from King’s College London has discovered that our drinking habits and the way we drink can significantly prevent tooth decay. I met the team to try it out on my own teeth. As children, while we were always warned about ‘cavities’, small holes that form in our teeth, we were also told how sweets and chocolate could ruin our smiles. When we eat sweet foods, the natural bacteria that grow on our teeth eat the sugar particles in our mouth, which causes holes in our teeth. Unless these holes are very large, they can usually be filled. But ‘filling’ teeth is a different matter. Acidic substances in food target the outer layer of the teeth and gradually wear it down, destroying the inner layer of the tooth. Enamel protects the soft layers of the teeth, but it cannot defend against the constant effects of acid and sugar, and once this layer is gone, there is no way to get it back. When we eat sugary foods, the natural bacteria that live on our teeth eat away at the sugar particles in our mouths, causing cavities. Dentist and dental surgeon Dr Polyvoos Charalambous, a member of the King’s College London research team and a member of the research team at King’s College London, says that tooth decay occurs when “the enamel of the teeth is affected by acid and excessive consumption of sugary foods and drinks.” He added that “if left untreated, it can lead to a range of dental problems, including stains, fractures, chipping of the edges of the teeth, and sensitivity to cold or heat. What to drink to protect your teeth from damage and when? Dr Polyvoos used a pH meter to measure the acidity in my mouth while I drank orange juice three different ways. I took a sip, swished it around in my mouth and held it in my mouth for a while before swallowing. To protect teeth, the pH level in the mouth should be around seven. Drinking cantaloupe juice dropped the pH to 4.7, while it took 18 seconds for it to return to seven, the neutral level. Holding the juice in the mouth (for 10 seconds) increased the acidity and it took five times longer to return to normal. Swirl the juice in the mouth dropped the pH to three and it took more than 30 times longer to return. The experiment found that holding or swirl acidic drinks in the mouth causes more damage to the teeth, because these habits increase the time and intensity of contact between the acidic drink and the tooth surface. Dr. Polyovis says, “To protect your teeth, don’t keep acidic drinks in your mouth for too long. You can also use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.” Research supports that using a straw reduces tooth decay caused by fizzy drinks. A team from King's College London found that consuming acidic foods and drinks between meals is the biggest risk factor for tooth decay. People who drank soft drinks, lemonade or hot fruit-flavoured tea twice a day between breakfast and lunch or between lunch and dinner were 11 times more likely to have moderate or severe tooth decay. This rate was halved when such drinks were consumed with meals. So by timing your drinks with, or immediately before or after, your meals, you can better protect your teeth. The most damaging drink for teeth The King's College team compared the effects of four different drinks on tooth erosion by immersing enamel samples in canola juice, cola, iced tea (lassie) and fruit tea. The damage seen after one hour was equivalent to drinking three glasses of these products over two days. Microscopic images showed erosion in the samples as a deep line. The results were surprising: fizzy drinks caused the most damage to the enamel, followed by canola juice, red berry tea and finally lassi, which had the least effect on teeth. The most harmful foods for teeth Acidic foods and drinks can cause tooth decay. Most fruits contain some level of acidity. Juicy fruits such as oranges, bananas, and apricots are more acidic than. Other examples of acidic foods and drinks include: Peppers Tomatoes and ketchup Vinegar and pickles (especially apple cider vinegar) Fruit squash Fruit-flavored water - for example, adding a slice of lemon to your water Flavoured teas, including berry tea, rose water and ginger and lemon Most alcoholic beverages Soft drinks (sugar-free soft drinks are just as harmful as sugar-sweetened drinks) The challenge is that many of these foods and drinks are good for your overall health, and there are ways to enjoy them while protecting your teeth. Include calcium-rich foods like cheese, yogurt or milk at the end of a meal to help neutralize the acid in your mouth. Use sugar-free chewing gum to increase saliva production, which helps protect your teeth. Replace fruit tea with black tea, which reduces tooth decay. Drink water flavored with cucumber, mint or rose water instead of sour fruits. common is tooth decay? Dentists have warned that tooth decay has become a very common problem worldwide and is increasing rapidly. According to a 2013 study led by Dr David Bartlett, head of prosthodontics at King’s College London Dental Institute, about 30% of adults aged 18 to 35 in Europe suffer from moderate to severe tooth decay. In comparison, a recent study of 2,924 people of the same age in six Arab countries found even higher rates of tooth decay. This was highest in Oman at 60.7 percent, followed by Saudi Arabia (57.1 percent), the United Arab Emirates (49.3 percent), Egypt (32.9 percent), Kuwait (31.5 percent) and Jordan (16.5 percent). Experts say that tooth erosion continues throughout your life, but if you're not careful, factors such as diet, habits, or medical conditions (such as acid reflux) can accelerate the process. Dentists can use a guide to estimate your loss. The results can be worrying, as there's no way to restore enamel, so it's best to be safe.
By Real contentabout a year ago in Motivation
Street Vendor to Millionaire
In the buzzing streets of Medellín, Colombia, life moves fast. People hustle for pesos, kids play barefoot in alleys, and the scent of grilled arepas fills the air. But in one corner of the city, a man named Carlos Jimenez went from selling snacks on a wooden cart to owning one of the most successful restaurant chains in Latin America.
By Farzadabout a year ago in Motivation
🧠 The Influence of Self-Talk and Self-Image
“You are not what you think you are; rather, what you think—you are.” Introduction: Conversations That Matter Most We all have that voice inside our head—the one that comments, judges, motivates, or discourages. This inner dialogue, known as self-talk, holds immense power. Alongside it lives your self-image, the mental picture you hold of yourself. Together, they form the foundation of your personal development, success, and emotional well-being. But how often do we question the nature of these internal conversations?
By Irfan Aliabout a year ago in Motivation
"Speak Boldly: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking & Conquering Communication Fear"
Public speaking is often ranked as one of the greatest human fears—some people fear it more than death. Yet, at the heart of every movement, innovation, or lasting change is a confident voice. So what’s stopping us?
By Irfan Aliabout a year ago in Motivation
How I Escaped the Trap of Overthinking. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
There was a time when I could turn the smallest decision into a mental marathon. Should I send the text or wait? Did I say the wrong thing in that meeting? What if I fail? What if I succeed? The questions never stopped. They circled like vultures over my peace of mind — relentless, exhausting, and invisible to everyone but me. If you’ve ever felt like your own mind has become your worst enemy, you know what I mean. Overthinking isn’t just about being reflective. It’s a spiral. A loop. A prison with no lock — because the warden is you. And for years, I lived in that prison. The Illusion of Control At first, overthinking felt like a form of preparation — like armor. I convinced myself that if I thought through every possible outcome, I’d be safe from failure, embarrassment, or regret. But here’s what nobody tells you: overthinking doesn't protect you. It paralyzes you. I’d spend hours trying to “make the right choice,” only to delay action entirely. I replayed past conversations in my head until they lost all meaning. I even second-guessed good moments, wondering if I “read the situation wrong.” The worst part? I thought this was normal. I thought it meant I cared. But caring and catastrophizing are not the same thing. The Breaking Point It wasn’t one dramatic moment that snapped me out of it — it was a slow accumulation of exhaustion. I began to notice how much mental energy I was burning just thinking about life rather than living it. A close friend finally said it out loud: > “You don’t trust yourself.” It hit me like a gut punch. She was right. I didn’t. I didn’t trust that I could make decisions, own them, and adapt if things went wrong. I believed my thoughts could save me from pain — but they were the very source of it. That was the moment I realized I needed to change. Not just my habits, but my mindset. --- The Mindset Shift That Set Me Free The shift began with a simple — but difficult — truth: “Not every thought deserves your attention.” I started journaling every morning, not to make sense of my thoughts, but to release them. I wrote without filters, allowing the chaos in my mind to spill onto the page. Once it was out of my head, I could see how repetitive, irrational, and unhelpful many of those thoughts were. Next, I created what I now call a “Decision Window.” If a choice didn’t carry long-term consequences, I gave myself five minutes to decide. Not five hours. Not five days. This small rule rewired how I approached daily life. I began to act instead of obsess. I also leaned into mindfulness — not the aesthetic kind with candles and yoga mats — but the gritty, everyday kind. Washing dishes with focus. Walking without my phone. Giving full attention to a friend’s voice instead of mentally scripting my next sentence. These tiny shifts added up. Slowly, I began to reclaim control from my thoughts. --- What I Know Now Overthinking doesn’t mean you're broken. It usually means you're afraid. Afraid to fail. Afraid to be judged. Afraid to lose something or someone. But the truth is: no amount of mental rehearsal will ever give you certainty. Life is inherently uncertain — and that’s not a problem to solve, but a truth to accept. Today, I still catch myself overthinking — but now, I recognize the signs. I pause. I breathe. I remind myself that action beats perfection, and presence beats paralysis. Overthinking used to be my default. Now it’s just a habit I’ve learned to outgrow. --- Final Words If you’re caught in the trap of overthinking, know this: You are not alone. You are not weak. And you can change. It won’t happen overnight. But one thought at a time, one choice at a time, you can reclaim your mind. Start small. Trust yourself. Let go. You’re more capable than you think.
By Abdu ssamadabout a year ago in Motivation
Vocal Media is not a get-rich-quick site — but it can still pay your bills.
I thought I would get rich overnight — Spoiler: I wasn’t. When I published my first story on Vocal Media, I had stars in my eyes. The platform promised something every creative dreamer dreams of: a place to be heard and have the opportunity to get paid. What could be better than that?
By Echoes of Lifeabout a year ago in Motivation
The Relentless Dreamer: Chris Gardner's Journey from Homelessness to Wall Street Legend
It all started with a man chasing a dream in a world that seemed to offer nothing in return. No wealth. No stability. Not even a home. Yet in the middle of utter despair, Chris Gardner held on — not to what was in front of him, but to a vision only he could see.
By Frank Massey about a year ago in Motivation
