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The Eleventh Month

November, or the eleventh month is upon us. We only have one more month before the year 2024. Where does the time go? Speaking of time, we are gaining an extra hour this month for most of the states. The time is nearing to cast your votes for election day. Later this month people will celebrate Thanksgiving. Also, discover a new hip hop artist this month in honor of National Hip Hop month. International Men’s Day is this month too, so celebrate the men in your life. Black Marketers Day is also happening this month.

Nov 5

Daylight Savings Time Ends

It is time to gain an extra hour of sleep. That also means we have to say, goodbye to all the sunlight. Set your clock back an hour. If by chance you forget, you won’t have to worry about being late.

Nov 7-Election Day Cast your vote on election day. Check out what’s on the ballot in your state and local area.

Nov 16- National Black Marketers Day The focus of November 16 is to bring the Black community for marketing together. Networking and forming positive relationships around marketing industries occurs during this time. If you are interested in supporting the cause, check out events in your local area.

Nov 19-International Men’s Day Celebrate the positive men around the world. Even though men need to be celebrated every day, today is set aside especially for this important purpose. Oftentimes, the father’s, brothers, sons and nephews do not get the recognition they deserve. Being such important parts of life and the community, take the time to do something special to recognize the men in your life.

—–Theme for 2023-International Men’s Day

The theme for 2023 is Zero Male Suicide. A higher incidence of suicide by men compared to women is a reality. Partly because men are less likely to seek help for mental health concerns. If you see a man is struggling with depression, let him know where to get support. Let him know that you are there for him.

Nov 23-Thanksgiving What are you thankful for? Thanksgiving is when most people get together with family and have a big feast. Spending the day watching sports, playing cards and/or family games. Listening to music and whatever your family traditions are. Enjoy the day and count your blessings. Volunteering your time at a local shelter or food pantry is also a way to show your appreciation and gratitude for the blessings in life.

Public Enemy & LL Cool J vinyl records

National Hip Hop History Month– In November we celebrate Hip Hop. This genre of music has deep and rooted history and has been around for years. Clothing, culture and art have all been influenced by Hip Hop. For those of us who have grown up listening to it, we have a deeper appreciation and fondness for it. Who is your favorite Hip Hop artist?

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March is Optimism Month

Photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash

March is national optimism month. It can be hard at times to be optimistic when life happens. Although, I think those are the times to have an optimistic outlook on things. Just think of the good you will be doing for yourself. In the long run, with a more positive attitude you will have lower stress levels, be more hopeful and have a more upbeat and cheerful feeling about life.

Optimism can be a challenge when the world spends so much time on social media. It is so easy for someone to see something on the internet and compare it to their own lives. We must remember that not everything we see on the web is as it seems. With that, know that we all have our separate paths in life and will not always arrive at certain destinations at the same time. It will take some of us longer to achieve certain things.

During March, we can start to take notice of our ways of looking at situations. If we take stock of how we perceive things we can then learn to change the negative thoughts into positive ones. Learn how to see the best case-scenario rather than the worst. We can team up with someone we trust and hold each other accountable. Help the other person change that negative into a positive.

March 12-18 Sleep Awareness Week

Did you know? Driving while drowsy slows reaction time just the same as driving drunk.

Sleep affects our health in many ways. Being well rested lets us excel mentally and physically. Lack of sleep has less than optimal effects on us. Try these simple things for better sleep; limit alcohol close to bedtime, no screen time before bed or while lying in bed, stop caffeine at least 4 hours before bed, try not to exercise close to the time you are going to sleep. Adequate sleep helps reduce stress, keeps our heart healthy and aids with weight loss. So, don’t forget to get your ZZZs.

March 12

Daylight Saving Time

Spring forward for Daylight Saving Time. It’s the time of year when we set the clocks ahead one hour. This practice allows for more hours of daylight during the warmer months of the year.

Time to spring forward
Photo by Mpho Mojapelo on Unsplash

March 17

St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrate the patron saint of Ireland today. People pay tribute to Irish history by attending mass and/or having a big meal. You will see a lot of the color Green. This represents the vast green land of Ireland. Although the 4-leaf clover is said to bring good luck, the Shamrock is one of the Irish symbols. Check out the web for some fun Green cocktails. You can make them with or without alcohol. Get the family together to make some recipes to commemorate Irish heritage.

March 20

First Day of Spring

Hello Spring! Milder days ahead. Also, the time of year when trees start to bloom. The pollen count rises also. Get your allergy medicine ready for those who are affected by this. In the Spring we have a lot more time to go for walks before or after work and enjoy some sun and outdoor time.

March 22

Ramadan Begins

Ramadan is a religious Islamic holiday observed by Muslims. From sun-up to sun-down Muslims fast and try to avoid eating, drinking, smoking and any impure behaviors and/or thoughts. Ramadan is when you will see increased prayers, time worshipping at the mosque and reading the Quran. This time of self-reflection helps to clean the soul and show empathy for those less fortunate. Fasting is a way to acknowledge that some people around the world are hungry. Those who practice the Islamic religion can find places of worship in virtually every state in the United States. Even though there are millions of people in the U.S. who are Muslims, the largest Muslim population can be found in Indonesia.

March 22

Día de la Abolición de Esclavitud

Did you know? It was once illegal to own or display the Puerto Rican Flag.

Emancipation Day (Puerto Rico)

March 22, 1873 marks the end of slavery in Puerto Rico. After colonization, disease and mistreatment wiped out most of the native people, this resulted in a major labor shortage. Gold mining was the popular trade at the time, so workers were needed for this reason. After gold mining stopped bringing in profits, sugar cane was the next thing to bring in money for the island. African slaves were used for enrichment of the land on plantations for the production of sugar. The African slave trade in PR lasted over 30 decades. Emancipation Day in Puerto Rico is an important day to celebrate freedom. Bomba and Plena music has strong African roots. Dancing to this music, along with native meals, festivals and parades are some of the ways to celebrate Emancipation Day.

Afro Puerto Rican flag and Resistance Puerto Rican flag

Puerto Rican Flag

Save Your Vision Month

Take the time to give your eyes a little extra TLC. It is better to preserve our eyesight as much as possible, rather than letting it get so bad that it creates things that cannot be reversed. Our eyes are precious. Besides, we only get one set. Try some preventative things like, limiting screen time. When reading make sure the room is well lit. Wear sunglasses to help against UV sun rays. Schedule that much needed eye exam. You know who you are… If you catch yourself squinting or needing to use extra bright light just to read certain things.