Good morning RCL classmates and welcome back to my passion blog!

This blog is a guide to self-reflection, using simple everyday pop culture topics to discover one’s individuality. It is designed to help you think about what is important to you, what you value most in life, how you view yourself, and so much more!  Today we’ll be talking about manifestation and neuroscience.

I’m sure you’ve heard that if you want to achieve a goal, you need to write it down. Proven by neuroscience, writing down your goals helps you remember them each day both in your short-term and long-term memory. However, if you’re like me, I’ll write down my goals in a notebook and then forget all about them. Visualizing your goals and making it clear in your mind exactly what you want to achieve is extremely important to getting things done. This is why I believe Pinterest is the best way to visualize your goals.  Vision boards are an excellent way to be goal-oriented and efficient!

The neuroscience of visualizing your goals comes in two different styles: external storage (short-term) and encoding (long-term). External storage is easy to explain: you’re storing the information contained in your goal in a location (e.g. a piece of paper) that is very easy to access and review at any time. You could post that paper in your office, on your refrigerator, etc. It doesn’t take a neuroscientist to know you will remember something much better if you’re staring at a visual cue every single day. Unfortunately for me, the post-it note on the mirror gets boring after a while, and I forget that it’s even there. This is why Pinterest boards are the next best thing! The styles and aesthetics chosen for your goals and the pictures used can sometimes explain your emotions better than words can. Since Pinterest boards are an exciting and enjoyable form of social media, you’ll revisit the board to add pictures more and more, enhancing your short-term memory and a reminder to focus on the goal.

Recently manifestation has taken over the internet, and I do believe the power of manifestation is real! If you write down “I want a pony” 100x in your notebook will you magically get a pony? Probably not. But, by writing down 100x that you want a pony, your brain will become driven to achieve that goal because it is such a prominent thought in your brain! Whether or not the power of manifestation works is up for debate, but setting goals and sticking to them is proven to be true. This is called encoding, the long-term memory. Encoding is the biological process by which the things we perceive travel to our brain’s hippocampus where they’re analyzed. From there, decisions are made about what gets stored in our long-term memory and, in turn, what gets discarded. Writing improves that encoding process. In other words, when you write it down it has a much greater chance of being remembered. By making a Pinterest board outlining your next goal, your brain gets wired to make decisions leading up to that goal!

That internship you’ve been meaning to apply for? make a Pinterest board! The trip you’ve always wanted to go on? Pinterest board! Even picturing the ideal romantic relationship by making a Pinterest board can help you decipher what you like and don’t like. The visualization and creativity used to create your board will rewire your brain to get things done, and you’ll feel more productive while doing so!

Good morning RCL classmates and welcome back to my passion blog!

This blog is a guide to self-reflection, using simple everyday pop culture topics to discover one’s individuality. It is designed to help you think about what is important to you, what you value most in life, how you view yourself, and so much more!  Today I encourage you to think about your favorite role model in pop culture, and why you look up to them. 

We all have role models we look up to, even. if they are a family member or a celebrity, it is important to have someone you can rely on to remind you of your goals in life. In many ways, I find “myself” to be my own role model, either looking up to my past or future self. Today I will be talking about my current role model, my favorite (and objectively the best ; )  female superhero: Wonder Woman. Here is her story…

Wonder Woman is unlike any other hero. She is not an alien, like Superman, or a billionaire like Batman: she is a Greek goddess with godlike powers, an Amazonian warrior, and the epitome of emancipated femininity. She is an incredibly skilled fighter, a born leader, and has a brilliant mind. Although she is a force to be reckoned with, Wonder Woman is graceful and elegant in every moment whether in conversation or combat.

Wonder Woman tells the tale of Princess Diana of Themyscira. She is a representation of the Greek goddess Artemis (or Roman goddess Diana), the leader of the Amazons.

Diana is the daughter of Hippolyta, was the queen of the Amazons (a utopian society of women warriors founded on sisterhood and female empowerment). Her origin story says she was formed out of clay by her mother, Hippolyta, and had life bestowed upon her by the Greek God Zeus.

The mission of the Amazonians is to one day defeat Ares, the god of war, and bring peace. Princess Diana was created as a gift in order to bring peace and prosperity to humanity. This is why Diana is conflicted between wanting to bring peace and the necessity to fight back against those causing destruction. She was created to finally defeat the god Ares in the name of the Amazons.

As a woman created by Zeus, she is imbued with the superhuman qualities often associated with Greek gods. Wonder Woman’s powers and abilities include:

• omnilingualism (she can speak the language of any person she encounters)
• superhuman strength and durability (both assets during big battles)
• the power of flight, superhuman speed, reflexes, and agility
• enhanced senses (including smell, vision, and hearing)
• a magic lasso that forces her enemies to tell the truth and reveal their secrets and has her famous bulletproof bracelets

Wonder Woman’s ability to fight with purpose, dignity, and grace is what makes her such an incredible role model. She is strong, beautiful, intelligent, and invested in being a force of positive change. Princess Diana is the woman I inspire to be.

 

Good Morning RCL and welcome back to my 2021 Spring Blog!

As a reminder, this blog is a guide to self-reflection, using simple everyday pop culture topics to discover one’s individuality. It is designed to help you think about what is important to you, what you value most in life, how you view yourself, and so much more!

I noticed my audience has taken a cool interest in personality quizzes and has already done many on their own! I decided this week to provide you will my personal favorites, how they have helped me, and maybe how they can help you.

A disclaimer, I do not think these quizzes are 1000% accurate and anything said about you in them is true. Whether you agree or disagree with your results, I think they are a great way to learn about yourself! If you get Hufflepuff but you’re really Slytherin, ask yourself why! It’ll give you more insight into your Slytherin traits than ever before.

1. Hogwarts House Quiz

https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/discover-your-hogwarts-house-on-wizarding-world

First I will be linking an all-time favorite I have mentioned in the past, the Hogwarts House quiz! Again, you do need to “sign up” to take it (but you can use a fake email and make as many as you’d like, I’ve taken it about 20 times!). Though everyone has their own interpretation of the houses, I especially enjoy this quiz because the answers are not obvious and it doesn’t even feel like you’re taking a personality quiz!  It feels more like a journey.

2. 16 Personalities

https://www.16personalities.com/

A well-known personality test for sure. While some may have critiques, I have found this quiz to be one of the most enjoyable to take and the most fun to compare results to. I’ve done this quiz at almost every sleepover and late-night school events. I consider this one to be pretty in-depth as well.

3. Enneagram Test

https://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/test

Although there are updated versions, I have found the “classical” enneagram test to be the best. It is a bit lengthy, but do not be afraid to take your time and look up unfamiliar words. The first time I took this test I got type 2 and I was a bit upset about it. Not because type 2 was bad, but because it painted me in a way I really did not see myself. I called the test inaccurate and totally gave up on it! A couple of years later, I retook it and got type 4- and that is definitely more me. The great thing about this test is it highlights some fears or doubts you may have and reassures them.

4. Open Psychometrics

https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/characters/

This test statistically matches you to every fictional character in their database and presents you with any and every fictional character you are similar to! While I find this test to be the “least accurate” I definitely have had a lot of fun comparing results with my friends at parties. If you’re in a party setting I recommend the 36 questions, but if you’re alone I recommend the 120 question test (you can change settings at the bottom of the page) 120 seems like a lot but I assure you it goes by quickly.

This week we will be focusing on a popular controversial topic everybody is familiar with, Zodiac Signs!  

(((Since we have new blog groups this semester, here is a brief disclaimer about how I view Zodiac Signs. ))

At some point in your life, somebody has asked you “Hey, what’s your sign?” You either get annoyed or excited by this question. Everybody has their own opinion on if Zodiac Signs are “real” “fake” or simply not worth anyone’s time. Whether you support your sign completely and know every planet on your chart, or have no interest in nonsense about the stars, everybody has something to learn from their Zodiac Sign. 

Humans are complex beings, we often attempt to understand ourselves and each other and fail miserably. No matter how you feel about Zodiac Signs, they provide a seemingly “foolproof” list of qualities based on the date, time, and place you were born. Nobody is confined to a chart or sign, but the descriptions they provide can help you evaluate yourself. When you read the list of characteristics or synopsis of what each planet in your chart means, reflect on it. What resonates with you?

 

Every planet, moon, and celestial body is located in the sky when you were born. Each planet dictates a certain part of your being (how you communicate, how you love, how you fight). 

Ever heard of “ Mercury is in Retrograde?!” That comes from Mercury being the planet of communication. 

 

You can find your star or “natal” charts online using the link below (it is LENGTHY, but it is the best and worth the skim)

https://astro.cafeastrology.com/natal.php 

Or you can download the app “Co-Star” on your phone, for a briefer description.  

Once you find your birth chart, you’ll notice it is not only your sun sign but a bunch of signs. Here is a brief description of what the “Big 6” of your planets mean…

 

Sun Sign:

Your sun sign shows your character, personal identity, and ego. It represents your will to live and our creative life force. Who you are at your core. Just as the planets revolve around the Sun in our solar system, we derive our life purpose from the Sun in our natal charts. The Sun is the part of us that censors the rest of ourselves reasons things out, and makes final decisions. The Sun also gives clues to our overall vitality. The Sun directs us and can be considered “the boss” of our chart.

((EX: My sun is in Aries, I am fundamentally assertive and fiercely independent))

Have you ever met someone with your same sun sign and found that person to be nothing like you? You probably have different moon signs.

Moon Sign: 

The moon in the chart represents our inner selves, the way we think, and our emotions. The voice you use to talk to yourself inside your head, that’s your moon sign. Your moon sign reveals your unconscious, what goes on inside your head. It can give insight into the way you handle your emotions and fears; it can also give insight into the way you love and feel. 

((EX: My moon is in Gemini, my mind is very restless and I am constantly in an identity crisis :))

Ascendant Sign:

Your Ascendant or “rising” sign is how other people perceive you- your “outer shell.” It is the impression we have on other people and the way we physically look. Ask your friends about their first impressions of you, I bet they are closer to your ascendant sign than your sun sign. It can be the mask or costume we wear to greet the world. It is the prime example of “never judge a book by its cover”. It can also be your personal style and how you choose to present yourself. 

((EX: My ascendant is in Scorpio, I often come off as intense and passionate ))

Mercury 

While the moon reflects our emotions, Mercury reflects logic and rationality. Mercury uses its clever intellect and relentless curiosity to analyze, sort, and classify, helping us synthesize and articulate complex ideas. Basically, Mercury is how you communicate with others and how you process information.

Venus 

The planet venus reflects our interest in art and culture, while its romantic sensibilities reveal our idealized perception of love. Venus is how you love, if you’ve ever heard of a “love language” this is similar but more intense and personal. 

Mars

Mars symbolizes action, determination, desire, impulse, and aggression. This is where your impulses come from and how you deal with conflict. Conflict is not limited to heated arguments, how you handle small conflict in your everyday life is dictated by your Mars sign. 

Hello RCL Classmates! This blog is a guide to self-reflection, using simple everyday pop culture topics to discover one’s individuality. It is designed to help you think about what is important to you, what you value most in life, how you view yourself, and so much more! 

Today we will be covering a topic I CANNOT believe I never did last semester… Hogwarts Houses!

If you are not a fan of Harry Potter- that’s ok! You can still find your Hogwarts house by taking the quiz of WizardingWorld (Pottermore) found here https://my.wizardingworld.com/login        (((((Yes, sadly you do have to “sign up,” but I’ve created so many fake accounts with fake emails just to take the quiz again it is effortless))))))

The beautiful thing about the Hogwarts Houses is although they are thought to have specific traits, they don’t. The true meaning of the Hogwarts houses can mean whatever you’d like. Literature is all about finding your own interpretations and digging deeper into the text. 

As someone who has read the Harry Potter series twice and has seen the movies at least 60 million times, I interpret your Hogwarts House as what you VALUE most, not what you possess. Your morals, in your heart, what is the most important trait to have? For me, it’s bravery, which is what makes me a Gryffindor. Am I still scared of roller coasters? Sometimes… but I have my moments.

Here are, in my opinion, a decent description of the Hogwarts Houses I put together. Keep in mind, the Houses can be interpreted however you would like, despite stereotypes from the movies.

 

Gryffindor: Natural leaders, passionate, loyal, trustworthy, competitive, courageous, confident, adaptive, just & fair, adventurous

Gryffindors don’t care about the rules, they care about justice. If a Gryffindor sees something is wrong or unfair, they will act on it. Gryffindors value bravery the most, and they can be ruthless. Gryffindors are adaptive, they are not afraid to switch sides of an argument, war, or battle if they no longer feel they are fighting for what’s right. Gryffindors value bravery. 

Slytherin: Family over everything, extremely protective, ambitious, success-oriented, determined, bold, resourceful, strong opinions

Slytherins may be ruthless but they care about the rules, their own rules. Not to follow what society dictates, but their own personal compass. They will impose parameters or limitations on themselves just to have a framework to operate with. An internal code. Slytherins are especially loyal to their family (which is not always blood, anyone can be family). Slytherins will put their family before anything, even justice. Slytherins value ambition, and determination. 

Ravenclaw: Artistic and technical, curious, big dreamers, hard workers, creative, inclusive, clever, logical 

Ravenclaws hate rules because they get in the way of their brilliant mind’s creativity. Ravenclaws don’t even have rules for themselves. Something that makes Ravenclaws some of the most dangerous people is that nothing holds them back, there are no limits. Whatever a Ravenclaw wants to do, they’ll just do. No limits. Ravenclaws value cleverness and creativity.

Hufflepuff: selflessness, kind, equality, friendship over everything, “mom” of the friend group, loyal, trustworthy, caring, open-minded

Hufflepuffs are the most misunderstood house of all. Hufflepuffs values equality, an equal playing field for everyone, but people mistake this trait as a weakness when it is strength. Hufflepuffs are willing to fight anyone mistreating somebody else. They’ll defend themselves and the people they love until they drop dead. Hufflepuffs are selfless! They will always put others first. The biggest difference between Hufflepuffs and the other houses is that they don’t accept casualties, the loss of human life is never acceptable, no matter that the goal. Hufflepuffs value equality and friendship. 

Hello RCL Classmates! I have returned to an all-time favorite topic of mine. This blog (((as usual))) is a guide to self-reflection, using simple everyday pop culture topics to discover one’s individuality. It is designed to help you think about what is important to you, what you value most in life, how you view yourself, and so much more!

We’ve talked about zodiac signs before, however, I realized not everybody is familiar with them.

There are a lot of lengthy descriptions of the zodiac signs on the internet that are nice but too long to read, and there are short descriptions I find highly inaccurate. So by taking every person I know in my life of each sign and seeing what traits they have in common, here is a short description of every sign of the zodiac- just for fun 🙂

 

Aries- (the ram) fire sign, the leaders/pioneers, adventurous, can be impatient, very smart, very loving, often misunderstood, childlike, has a temper and/or has temper tantrums 

 

Taurus- (the bull) earth sign, very “down to earth” grounded- like a bull, likes stability and does not do too well with change, food, very home-oriented, stubborn very stubborn and likes to feel safe and secure, practical, 

 

Gemini- (the twins) air sign, very social, outgoing, talkative, loving, a bit all over the place, smart, indecisive/often conflicted and can’t make up their minds-like twins,

 

Cancer- (the crab) water sign, crabby outside, soft inside. Moody and emotional, have a hard outer shell (so either closed off and hides their emotions or crabby/pinchy on the outside) stereotypically cries a lot, the most loving, compassionate, and caring, generous, faithful, kind, likes the cozy indoors

 

Leo-  (the lion) fire sign, the most reserved of the fire signs but none the less is confident, outgoing, determined, strong opinions, loyalty, consistency, think like a lion, they think everything’s ab them 

 

Virgo- (the virgin) earth sign, reserved, super down to earth, observant, logical, funny, honest, skeptical, seems put together all the time but really isn’t, organized, smart

 

Libra (the scale) air sign, seeks justice and fairness, sees both sides of the story, is outgoing and social, loves having friends, very loving, diplomatic and keep it real, energy

 

Scorpio- (scorpion) water sign, somewhat dark, the sign of sex and death so take that as you will, intense, emotional, intelligent, secretive, ambitious, loyal, competitive, passionate 

 

Sagittarius- (archer) fire sign, impulsive, charismatic, straightforward, independent, (sometimes seem closed off by their independent-ness), charming, bold, clever

 

Capricorn- (goat) earth sign, work-oriented, focused, ambitious, honest, charismatic, willful, resourceful, does not allow their emotions to stand in the way of their goals

 

Aquarius- (water bearer) air sign, determined, ambitious, intelligent, philosophical, curious, detached, witty, humanistic, friendly, good debaters, persistent

 

Pisces- (fish) water sign, emotional, the dreamers, artistic, caring, imaginative, romantic, sweetest if you’re on good terms but ruthless if you are not 

 

Good morning RCL classmates and welcome back to my passion blog! 

This blog is a guide to self-reflection, using simple everyday pop culture topics to discover one’s individuality. It is designed to help you think about what is important to you, what you value most in life, how you view yourself, and so much more!  Today I encourage you to think about your favorite role model in pop culture, and why you look up to them. 

I’m really enjoying this girl-power theme so I’m sticking to it. We all have role models we look up to, today I will be talking about my favorite (and objectively the best ) 😉 female superhero: Wonder Woman. 

Wonder Woman is unlike any other hero. She is not an alien, like Superman or a billionaire like Batman: she is a Greek goddess with godlike powers, an Amazonian warrior, and the epitome of emancipated femininity. She is an incredibly skilled fighter, a born leader, and has a brilliant mind. Although she is a force to be reckoned with, Wonder Woman is graceful and elegant in every moment whether in conversation or combat. 

Wonder Woman tells the tale of Princess Diana of Themyscira. She is a representation of the Greek goddess Artemis (or Roman goddess Diana), the leader of the Amazons. 

Diana is the daughter of Hippolyta, was the queen of the Amazons (a utopian society of women warriors founded on sisterhood and female empowerment). Her origin story says she was formed out of clay by her mother, Hippolyta, and had life bestowed upon her by the Greek God Zeus.

The mission of the Amazonians is to one day defeat Ares, the god of war, and bring peace. Princess Diana was created as a gift in order to bring peace and prosperity to humanity. This is why Diana is conflicted between wanting to bring peace and the necessity to fight back against those causing destruction. She was created to finally defeat the god Ares in the name of the Amazons. 

As a woman created by Zeus, she is imbued with the superhuman qualities often associated with Greek gods. Wonder Woman’s powers and abilities include:

• omnilingualism (she can speak the language of any person she encounters)
• superhuman strength and durability (both assets during big battles)
• the power of flight, superhuman speed, reflexes, and agility
• enhanced senses (including smell, vision, and hearing)
• a magic lasso that forces her enemies to tell the truth and reveal their secrets and has her famous bulletproof bracelets

Wonder Woman’s ability to fight with purpose, dignity, and grace is what makes her such an incredible role model. She is strong, beautiful, intelligent, and invested in being a force of positive change. Princess Diana is the woman I inspire to be. 

 

Hello RCL Classmates! I have returned to an all-time favorite topic of mine. This blog (((as usual))) is a guide to self-reflection, using simple everyday pop culture topics to discover one’s individuality. It is designed to help you think about what is important to you, what you value most in life, how you view yourself, and so much more!

After you read, I encourage you to look up your “natal chart” (or your sign if you haven’t already) and give it a peak. You deserve some time to sit and reflect during your busy day today. 

There are a lot more to Zodiac Signs than meets the eye. Although as I mentioned in my previous blog, whether or not you believe Zodiac Signs are “real”, they are an excellent source of self-reflection. 

We have spoken about your Sun sign, relating to the date of your birth (Ex: my birthday April 16 is in Aries). 

But we have not spoken about your star or natal chart, specifically the “big three” which are your sun, moon, and rising sign. The rest of your chart is determined by where in the night sky the sun was above you when you were born. This is why you need to input your time and birth location to calculate your natal chart.

( Go ahead, text your mom and ask what time you were born. )

Every person has a natal chart, where every planet, moon, and celestial body is located in the sky when you were born. Each planet dictates a certain part of your being (how you communicate, how you love, how you fight). 

Ever heard of “ Mercury is in Retrograde?!” That comes from Mercury being the planet of communication. 

The “big three” are the biggest parts of what makes up your being.

The sun is your ego, identity, “role” in life

The moon is your subconscious, emotions, and how you think 

The Ascendant is your “mask”, outer shell, how others perceive you 

 

You can find your star or “natal” charts online using the link below (it is LENGTHY, but it is the best and worth the skim)

https://astro.cafeastrology.com/natal.php 

Or you can download the app “Co-Star” on your phone, for a briefer description.  

 

If you would like to know more about each planet, please comment and I would be happy to explain them in the next blog!

For now, here are the “big three” 

Sun Sign:

Your sun sign shows your character, personal identity, and ego. It represents your will to live and our creative life force. Who you are at your core. Just as the planets revolve around the Sun in our solar system, we derive our life purpose from the Sun in our natal charts. The Sun is the part of us that censors the rest of ourselves reasons things out, and makes final decisions. The Sun also gives clues to our overall vitality. The Sun directs us and can be considered “the boss” of our chart.

((EX: My sun is in Aries, I am fundamentally assertive and fiercely independent))

 

Moon Sign: 

Have you ever met someone with your same sun sign and found that person to be nothing like you? You probably have different moon signs.

The moon in the chart represents our inner selves, the way we think, and our emotions. The voice you use to talk to yourself inside your head, that’s your moon sign. Your moon sign reveals your unconscious, what goes on inside your head. It can give insight into the way you handle your emotions and fears; it can also give insight into the way you love and feel. 

((EX: My moon is in Gemini, my mind is very restless and I am constantly in an identity crisis :))

 

 

 

Ascendant Sign:

Your Ascendant or “rising” sign is how other people perceive you- your “outer shell.” It is the impression we have on other people and the way we physically look. Ask your friends about their first impressions of you, I bet they are closer to your ascendant sign than your sun sign. It can be the mask or costume we wear to greet the world. It is the prime example of “never judge a book by its cover”. It can also be your personal style and how you choose to present yourself. 

((EX: My ascendant is in Scorpio, I often come off as intense and passionate ))

 

Disney’s Female Heroines 

 

Good morning RCL classmates and welcome back to my passion blog! 

This blog is a guide to self-reflection, using simple everyday pop culture topics to discover one’s individuality. It is designed to help you think about what is important to you, what you value most in life, how you view yourself, and so much more!

 

After writing a blog about Disney Princesses, I decided to write about female heroines who may not be princesses, but still served as great role models in my childhood. Today I invite you to think about your role models as a child and how they relate to the values you hold dear today. 

Elizabeth Swann

Although Pirates of the Caribbean is often forgotten as part of the Disney franchise, I will never forget the impact Elizabeth Swann had on my character as a child. The movies themselves were very mature and meant for an older audience, but Elizabeth still managed to be an excellent role model. She had an adventurous spirit and wasn’t afraid of any man. She broke social boundaries and never let society stand in the way of what she loved. Although she was a bit reckless, she embodied what it meant to be adventurous and daring in the most gracious way. 

 

Kim Possible 

Kim Possible was the ultimate female heroine for young girls and was one of the best characters to come out of a Disney TV show. She was strong, brave, intelligent, and never backed down from a challenge. Kim had her flaws, she was wrapped up in school drama and set her standards exceedingly high for herself. However, these only made Kim an even better character because she was so relatable. Not only was she skilled in martial arts, had above average reflexes and strength, she also outsmarted her opponents when she fought them. She had a cheerful, optimistic and extroverted personality that was often extremely affected by the world around her. Things got to her emotionally, but she was strong enough to fight through them the same way she fought off her physical battles. Watching Kim Possible as a kid, I knew it was okay to be the crazy perfectionist I was and still be a super cool person. 

Megara 

I was always confused why Megara was not considered a Disney Princess as a child. Although I now realize she never became a princess until she married Hercules, I still consider Megara an excellent role model. Megara is not a heroine, she doesn’t save anyone or lead anything, she is not a hero. Yet she is a strong independent woman I always looked up to. Before Hercules, Megara sold her soul and offered servitude to Hades in order to save her boyfriend from the underworld. Her boyfriend cheated and manipulated her, and Meg was left a servant to Hades and despair towards all love or happiness in the future. She was broken, and as a young girl she taught me it was okay to be broken. When Meg meets Hercules she is hesitant at first, but his optimism and pure innocence allows her to give love a second chance. Meg is an excellent role model for young girls because she shows us it is okay to be broken, sad, and unhopeful at times. She also shows us there is light at the end of the tunnel and one day things will get better if you give them a chance.