"Becoming is better than being."

1. People aren't against you, they are for themselves. 2. Climb mountains. Not so the world can see you but so you can see the world. 3. You learn more from failure than from success. Don't let it stop you; failure builds character. 4. The most dangerous risk of all is the risk of spending your life not doing what you want. 5. Go where you're celebrated, not where you're tolerated. 6. The person you'll spend the most time with in your life is yourself, so you better try to make yourself as interesting as possible. 7. If you accept your limitations, you go beyond. Thank you for reading 🙂 "Live Purposefully"

1. If you speak too much, you will lie. 2. If you think too much, you will be depressed. 3. If you cry too much, you will lose your sight. 4. If you love too much, you will be lost. 5. If you care too much, you will be taken for granted. 6. If you play too much, you will not be taken serious often. 7. If you trust too much, you will be betrayed. 8. If you drink too much, you will die of hungover. 9. If you eat too much, you will be obessed 10. If you sleep too much, you will be idle. 11. If you spend too much, you will have no future. 12. If you wear make up too much, you will lose your beauty. 13. If you look too much, you will lose your focus. 14. If you pursue life too much, you will lose everything. And lastly... 15. If you expect too much, you will be disappointed. Don't be too much because that too much can hurt you so much.

◽️ Develop humility! Try to accept your present situation whatever it may be. You must be completely at peace with what your life looks like at the moment, as well as with the things that have led to this particular situation. You can never, ever achieve anything if you suffer from what you currently have. ◽️ Don't let fear stop you! Fear is what hides behind the false evidence of what seems real to us. And it actually keeps us from believing in ourselves more than anything else. You have to learn to face your fears and by no means let them stop you from achieving your goals. You have to always do what you are very afraid to do. You need to be able to enter your fear, and only then it will begin to recede.

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ Once upon a time, there lived a generous and kind-hearted king. But the people weren't happy with their king because the king was very lazy and would not do anything other than eating and sleeping. He spent days and weeks and months in his bed either eating something or sleeping. The king became a potato couch and the people started to worry about the king. One day, the king realized that he couldn't even move his body, not even his foot. He became very fat and his enemies made fun of him, calling him 'fatty king', 'bulky king' etc. The king invited expert doctors from various parts of his country and offered them generous rewards to make him fit. Unfortunately, none could help the king gain his health and fitness. The king spent enormous amounts of money but everything went in vain. One fine morning, a holy man visited the country. He heard about the ill-health of the king, and informed the minister at the palace that he could easily cure the king. Hearing these promising words, the minister became very happy. He requested the king to meet the holy man to get rid of his problem. The holy man resided at a distant place. Since the king could not move his body, he asked the minister to bring the holy man to the palace, but the holy man refused. He said that the king had to go to him, in order to get cured. After strenuous efforts, the king met the holy man at the latter's residence. The holy man complimented the king saying that he was a good ruler, and said that he would soon regain his health. He asked the king to come for treatment the next day. He told the king also that the king would be treated only if he came on foot to the holy man's residence. The King was unable to walk even a few steps on the road, but aided by his followers, he reached the holy man's place. Unfortunately, the holy man was not available there and his devotee requested the king to come and meet him the next day for treatment. This was repeated for two weeks and the king never met the holy man, and never had any treatment. Gradually, the king realized that he felt a lot lighter, lost a considerable amount of weight and felt more active than before. He realized the reason why the holy man asked him to reach his place by walking. Very soon, the king regained his health, and the people were very happy in his kingdom. Health is Wealth!

Words are powerful. They can change how we think, Make choices & feel. With just a few words we can make someone feel happy connect with the world and share critical thinking. It's the words that make us detestable & it is the words that make us sweet. It's the words that build bridges & It's the words that burn bridges. It's the words which define us. It's the words that lead us to the top & it's the words that get us down. Words can also hurt. They can make people sad, Cause problems, & even lead to arguments. That’s why it’s so vital to think before we speak. When we speak kindly we make people feel respected and cared for. But when we speak in anger or without thinking we can hurt others and break the sense of trust. Words are more powerful than weapons because they can change people’s minds and feelings. Weapons can cause harm, but words can heal or hurt in ways that last a long time. A kind word can make someone feel better, while a mean word can make someone feel sad for days. Words can bring people together or push them apart. Unlike weapons, Words can travel anywhere & spread ideas to many people. They can start big changes or help solve problems by knowing how to get the point across the world. This is why words have more power than weapons they can make a bigger difference in the world. Throughout history strong leaders and writers have used words to create change. Great speeches, books & poems have moved people to take action and shaped the world we live in. Words can bring comfort in tough times and give hope when everything seems lost. They can show love, happiness and thankfulness or express fear, sadness & doubt. How we use words is important. Words can make the world better or worse. In our daily lives, we should remember the power of words. We should try to use them to spread kindness, understanding & good feelings. Like they say words cast spells it can lift someone up and it can cut you deep, Words can hit harder than a punch, When we are careful and educated with what we say we can make someone's day. 

Why is it that one person, after going to the theater or visiting a place, tells his acquaintances how wonderful, unforgettable it was, how he had a great time? ⠀ And another person, having been to the same show, having gone to the same place, says that it was nothing special. Or that he did not like this or that, and it was not the way he had imagined, or the way it was presented to him. ⠀ It's also a skill to notice the beautiful things around you, to focus on the positive things. It's a skill that can be developed. ⠀ Setting goals, enjoying the process and achieving those goals - that's a skill you can learn, too! ⠀ You can also learn to overcome difficulties in life, to perceive them not as problems, but as points of growth.

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love. Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment. When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help. Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you." Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!" "I can't help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered. Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you." "Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!" Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her. Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Realizing how much was owed the elder, Love asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who Helped me?" "It was Time," Knowledge answered. "Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?" Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is 

📖A giant ship's engine broke down, and no one could repair it, so they hired a mechanical engineer with over 30 years of experience. He inspected the engine very carefully from top to bottom. After seeing everything, the engineer unloaded his bag and pulled out a small hammer, then gently tapped a mechanical part. Shortly after, the engine roared back to life. A week later, the engineer mentioned to the ship owner that the total cost of repairing the giant ship was $20,000. The owner couldn't believe it and immediately requested a detailed invoice. The answer was very simple. The tap with the hammer costs $2. Knowing where to tap and how hard to tap costs $19,998. The moral of the story: Recognize the value of one's expertise and experience As they are the culmination of many years of hardship If I do a job in 30 minutes It's because I spent 20 years learning how to do that.

Most of the time. They are silent they have sharp vision and the ability to soar(fly high/increase quickly to high level) high ┈┈•◦ೋ•◦✮•◦ೋ•┈┄ Eagles are an inspiration. Most of the time, they are silent. Through this silent. The ensure(make sure) that their prey doesn't know what their next move will be or what their next target will be. Eagle's silence doesn't mean they don't notice what's going on around them. They observe everything with their sharp vision. They are focused. They wait patiently for their moment. They narrow their focus on it and set out(aim to something) to get it. No matter the obstacles. They will remain focused on their prey until they grab it. They are certain that they will achieve what they want. The love storms because storms left them above the clouds. Likewise( in the same way), you can use the storms of Life to rise to greater heights. Be like an eagle!

Self-confidence can be defined as the belief in yourself and your abilities. It is basically freedom from doubt. It is not something that can be taught. It is something that we develop internally by ourselves. It is very important to live a healthy and happy life. Self-confidence is very useful and important to achieve goals and fulfil your wishes. Success comes to those who have a belief in their abilities. The person who lacks self-confidence is totally opposite. He/she is isolated, inferior, depressed, confused and sensitive to criticism and failure. It does not mean that a confident person always gets success in life..

Make sure, you don’t make that mistake. Give your opinions only when specifically asked. Otherwise, keep your thoughts inside you. I do it all the time. I know that people are different from me. Their upbringing, educational background, and experiences are different from mine. So, it’s obvious they wouldn’t have similar opinions. I don’t judge them for their opinions and I don’t let anyone judge for mine. And just because your opinions are different doesn’t mean they are superior. Maybe if you stay silent and listen to the other person, you will get to know a new perception. So, go ahead and make a list of everything that you think you are not, or what you never want to be. For example; While I was in college, almost every other student used to drink. I never touched it even when my friends asked me to at least try. Why? Because I knew I am not this and I never will. “If you compromise with your principles once, it will become your habit to cheat your principles and do what’s cool.” I am not saying you should drink or should not. I am saying I never wanted to try it. So I stood my ground. Now, it’s your turn to stand tall on yours. That was the one reason I was often misjudged and left alone. I didn’t want to just belong to some group. I wanted to be with people who align with my values and principles. This is the thing about knowing what you don’t want. Once you set the lines clear for yourself, you stop taking the garbage in. You stop taking the bare minimum from people. You stop laughing at jokes that aren’t funny and you stop saying yes to everything because now you know what you are not, what you don’t want, and what you will never be. It raises your standard. It makes you feel that you are not here to adjust to everyone or everything. You simply learn to reject what you know you don’t want. It’s that simple. There is no such thing as learning to say NO. All you need to do is learn to know what you don’t want. Set the standards high and if people cannot climb those standards for you, then they will automatically stay away from you. This is how you attract good people and stay away from toxic ones. In fact, your eyes become blind to those who are toxic. In one simple glance, you can tell they don’t align with your values.

Good morning 🌷 Give yourself happiness, time does not go back..! Do not exaggerate in sanctifying someone, lest you be shocked... Do not exaggerate in criticizing someone, lest you be wronged... Be moderate and balanced... Give everyone their due, no more, no less For all those who have a place in the heart Their homes are built from the same kind of what they made...! ❀ In this life, do not be sad about something that has happened and ended, but smile because it has become a thing of the past

One of the main reasons we get annoyed is because of mirror irritation or REFLECTIONS. This happens when we see traits in other people that we have in ourselves. But we might not even notice these traits in ourselves, or we might deny them, especially if they go against our core beliefs or stereotypes. Another reason we get annoyed is failed expectations. We expect people to behave in a certain way, and when they don't, we get angry. But it's important to remember that our expectations are just our own illusions. We can't expect other people to be exactly the way we want them to be. If you start to think about your irritation in terms of these two points, you'll find that you get annoyed with other people a lot less. And your life will be a lot more enjoyable!

We often forget that taking care of yourself isn’t just important—it’s essential. You give so much of your energy, your kindness, and your heart to the world around you. Just as a garden needs sunlight and rain to bloom, you too need space, rest, and moments of gentleness to tend to the garden of your own spirit and to fill your own well. Think of the times when you’ve felt truly at peace—those moments are your soul’s way of reminding you to come back to yourself. It’s okay to pause, even when everything around you is moving fast. Today, listen to what your heart and body are asking for. Whether it’s a quiet walk or simply a warm cup of tea in silence, make space for that. Taking this time for yourself is a powerful, beautiful act. When you nurture your own spirit, you create a wellspring of strength and joy that can flow back into everything you do. So give yourself permission today to slow down, to rest, to feel peace. You deserve every moment of care and kindness you can offer yourself. Today, be tender with yourself. Let each moment be a kindness, a small gift you give to your own heart. In this gentle care, you return to the world whole, a little more at peace, a little more free.

Respect and fear can get mixed up but they’re totally diverse vibes. When I say I respect you, it’s because I dig what you’re about whether it is your character or how you see things or What you bring to the table. It’s like giving props for the person you are & that’s something earned through how you roll your honesty or just being real. Respect is built on mutual trust & its a good feeling that helps people advance & work together. But fear? Nah, that’s more like when you feel someone’s got the upper hand & it’s all about dodging trouble. It shuts down the convo and makes things awkward. If I respect you it’s because I see you as my equal not because I feel cornered or scared. Fear makes people fall in line cause they don’t want the heat. but respect? That’s what brings folks together makes them listen & work it out. The two don’t mix, if fear steps in trust dips out. So when I say I respect you it’s coming from a place of admiration not from feeling like I have to bow down. Respect builds while fear tears things apart. Roman✍🏻💖💐

📖As far as I’ve concerned, everyone has had at least one really an awesome teacher and one really an unlikeable teacher. Most of us have had teachers we clicked with really well & others not. Some we thought were standoffish, while others swore they were the best thing since sliced bread. A lot of this comes down to personal vibes and the kind of energy they give off. But no matter what, Good teachers tend to have a few things in common whether you dig their style or not. I guess, A good teacher's gotta know his stuff inside out. I mean you must have a full knowledge about what you teach, You can’t teach what you don’t fully understand. If you're winging it your students perhaps won't catch on fast. In case if you make a mistake, Own it. Everyone makes mistakes now and then, But what makes others trust your words is being able to admit that you dropped the ball. It’s all about keeping it real. Being honest about your mistakes actually builds trust. And trust me, your students will appreciate the honesty cos mistakes are a welcome part of every process. A good teacher will never know everything everytime but don't let your students to feel that you are not knowledgeable enough if you get hit with a curveball question It's because they feel discouragement like that at least your answers must be creditible. Patience & being tolerant are key, It's because not everyone is gonna learn at the same speed or in the same way. Some students will be on the ball from the get go, However some others may need twice more times to wrap their heads around things. You should make them sociable and expressive by stealing their spotlight with play based learning activities & having fun. For you as a teacher you must respect all your students & have a limited personal relationship with them just in the side of teaching & providing them with feedback & what should be dealt with for their progress wether it's about studying or their problems in life. Students need to know you’ve got their back, Even when the going gets tough because teaching is not about being a dictator! Misusing your power makes you detestable, You’ve gotta appreciate their quirks, opinions & how they roll, So that each of them is unique and admired.

Being strong is not something that was always clear to me, it is something that I learned along the way, in moments where I had no other option. I remember when everything seemed to fall apart. The expectations I had for life were not met and the people I trusted the most disappointed me. It was there that I understood that I couldn't depend on others to feel complete or safe. I learned that true strength is born when you face loneliness, and instead of feeling weak, you decide to turn that loneliness into your ally. Life taught me that pain is not an enemy. He taught me that crying does not make you less strong, on the contrary, it gives you the ability to feel deeply and heal. In every tear lies a lesson, a reminder that, after the storm, calm always comes. Being strong is not about keeping quiet about what hurts you, it is about speaking firmly about your fears and accepting them. It's not about pretending that everything is fine, it's about accepting that there are bad days, but not letting those days define you. I have learned that it is not about not falling, but about how you get up. And you don't always do it immediately, sometimes it takes time, but the important thing is not to stay on the ground. I have fallen many times, I have stumbled over my own mistakes and the difficulties that life has put in front of me, but each time I have gotten up more confident in who I am. Being strong is understanding that self-love is the basis of everything. You can't expect others to fill the gaps that only you can fill. I learned to be my best friend, to be kind to myself on my worst days, and to celebrate every little achievement, because it's those moments that remind me how much I've grown. What taught me to be strong was life itself, with all its imperfections and challenges. And although I still have a lot to learn, I know that as long as I maintain that inner strength, I can handle anything that comes.

For example, a pear. The pear is not perfect, but it has no desire to become something else. It doesn't try to turn from a pear into a peach with the help of personal growth training. It doesn't pretend to be a banana, who is just out of shape today. Not torturing herself with newfangled diets to the size of a cherry. It doesn't tell tall tales about how she looked like a little tangerine as a child. It accepts herself as a pear. Somewhere with a rottenness, somewhere with a tough skin, and somewhere with an appetizing barrel. And certainly a characteristic pear shape. So is a mature man. He's not perfect. He has already fought with his nature, despaired, disappointed, humbled himself, accepted, studied and started to use that which is inherent in him. That is why it looks harmonious in all its manifestations. And that’s not only the result of experience, but also of choice.

Teamwork is essential in achieving common goals and fostering a collaborative environment. In various settings—be it in the workplace, schools, or sports—working together allows individuals to combine their strengths, share ideas, and support each other. One key benefit of teamwork is enhanced problem-solving. When diverse minds come together, they can approach challenges from multiple perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions. Additionally, teamwork builds trust and communication skills, as members learn to express their thoughts and listen to others. However, teamwork can also present challenges, such as conflict or differing opinions. It is crucial for team members to engage in open dialogue and establish a shared vision to overcome these obstacles. In conclusion, while teamwork requires effort and compromise, its benefits—like increased creativity, improved morale, and greater success—make it a valuable approach in any collaborative endeavor. 

Our life is like a pencil. Failure is a welcome part of success. Every time it can get broken or goes blunt, But We have to sharpen it again and again. A Pencil Needs Power, A pencil left by itself cannot fulfill its purpose, Because its power doesn’t come from itself but from the hand that holds it. For the pencil to make its mark in the world, It needs someone’s hand to hold it. We are capable of great things, But we must never forget that there is a hand guiding our steps. We call that hand God, And He always guides us according to His will. We need to allow God’s hand to hold us so we can fulfill our sacred purpose to which we were born to accomplish. We should know that everything we do in life will leave a mark. So we have to try to be conscious of that on every surface we are used on, we must leave our mark. No matter what the condition. We must continue to do our duty on every action with honesty and humility. A Pencil Needs Pain, A pencil has to go through painful sharpening if it is to be useful. If it doesn’t go through pain, It won’t be able to fulfill its purpose. In the same way, we will experience painful sharpening from time to time. We must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows. We will go through trials to test us, teach us, and train us to be better than we were before. A Pencil Needs Perseverance, If it makes a mistake, the pencil doesn’t give up. Why? Because it knows it has an eraser. The pencil simply erases its mistakes, and moves on. Like a pencil, life always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did. It is not necessarily a bad thing because it helps to keep us on the road to justice. God gives us an eraser. It’s the most powerful eraser in the world. It’s called forgiveness. God forgives us, Asks us to forgive ourselves and asks us to forgive others. Let's use our eraser everyday. 📚📘📕📙Roman✍🏻💖💐

Years ago, I worked at a small health clinic in a remote country. I had gone there to treat an obscure syndrome. It attacked people’s lungs, causing them to need a respirator to breathe. I was trying out a new medication to treat these people instead of using a respirator. If I was successful, I would become famous. Everything was going fine until war broke out in a nearby country. Many people from that country fled the hostile invading army. The army wanted to dominate the people, but the people didn’t want to be oppressed. So they walked hundreds of miles across barren land to get away. Some of these people came to our clinic for treatment. I talked with them and learned of their difficulties. They did not beg or complain. I was impressed by their dignity. There was one woman I will never forget. Her son suffered from malnutrition and stomach pain, and she didn’t know what to do. Neither did I.I was not adept at treating malnutrition. Nonetheless, when I saw her sadness, I knew I had to help her son. The woman had been feeding her son bread and water. She had a misconception that it would be enough for him. However, I knew that he needed to eat vegetables, too. So I took her outside and showed her a dense patch of edible plants. I taught her howto dig up the roots, peel them, and cook them for her son. I explained that she should increase her son’s intake of these vegetables. Likewise, she should strive to get him some meat once a week to help him regain his strength. I sent her off with a prescription for some pain medicine, but she also left my office with some new culinary skills. A few weeks later, she returned to tell me her son was healthy again. As thanks, she gave me a beautiful ceramic bowl. I never become famous, but I kept that bowl to remind me what it truly means to heal someone.

Once upon a time, there was an old woman who carried water every day from the river to her house. She used two large pots, each hanging on the ends of a long stick that she carried across her shoulders. One of the pots was perfect and always delivered a full load of water. But the other pot had a crack in it, and by the time the old woman reached her house, half of the water had leaked out. This went on every day. The perfect pot was proud of its work. But the cracked pot felt ashamed and thought it was a failure because it couldn’t carry a full load of water. One day, the cracked pot spoke to the woman, "I’m sorry. I feel bad that I’m not doing my job properly because of this crack. I only deliver half the water you fill me with." The old woman smiled and said, "Did you notice the beautiful flowers on the side of the path where I carry you? I planted flower seeds there because I knew about your crack. Every day, you water them as we walk, and now I have beautiful flowers to decorate my house. Without your crack, this wouldn’t be possible." The moral of the story is we all have our flaws, but sometimes those imperfections can create unexpected beauty. Never underestimate the value you bring, even if you think you're not perfect.

A six year old boy was in the market with his 4 yr old sister. Suddenly the boy found that his sister was lagging behind. He stopped and looked back. His sister was standing in front of a toy shop and was watching something with great interest. The boy went back to her and asked, "Do you want something ?" The sister pointed at the doll. The boy held her hand and like a responsible elder brother, gave that doll to her. The sister was very very happy... The shopkeeper was watching everything and getting amused to see the matured behaviour of the boy... Now the boy came to the counter and asked the shopkeeper, "What is the cost of this doll, Sir !" The shopkeeper was a cool man and had experienced the odds of life. So he asked the boy with a lot of love & affection, "Well, What can you pay ?" The boy took out all the shells that he had collected from sea shore, from his pocket and gave them to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper took the shells and started counting as if he were counting the currency. Then he looked at the boy.The boy asked him worriedly, "Is it less?" The shopkeeper said," No,No... These are more than the cost. So I will return the remaining." Saying so,he kept only 4 shells with him and returned the remaining. The boy, very happily kept those shells back in his pocket and went away with his sister. A servant in that shop got very surprised watching all these. He asked his master, "Sir ! You gave away such a costly doll just for 4 shells ???" The shopkeeper said with a smile, "Well, for us these are mere shells. But for that boy, these shells are very precious. And at this age he does not understand what money is, but when he will grow up, he definitely will. And when he would remember that he purchased a doll with the Shells instead of Money, he will remember me and think that world is full of Good people. It will help him develop a positive attitude and he too in turn will feel motivated to be Good." Mind Mantra - Whatever emotion you infuse into the world, it will further spread. If you do good, goodness will spread. If you do bad, negativity will spread. Realize you are a very powerful source of energy. Your good or bad will come back to you magnified. Not in the ways you want it, and probably not in the ways you can understand it. But it will come back.

Dignity. Where is it? It’s in you. It’s the most important, the most valuable thing you have. Never, ever sacrifice your dignity for anyone—not even for yourself. Let your heart break if it has to, let yourself feel nothing if that’s what it takes—but don’t lose your dignity. Listen.... you can lose money. You can lose friends. You can lose so many things in life and still survive. But lose your character, your dignity—and you've lost everything! Without it, you’re nothing. So be careful. Guard it fiercely. Follow yourself, care for yourself, and most importantly, love yourself. You deserve a better life, but it starts with you. If you don’t love yourself first, how can you expect anyone else to? One more thing! Look... It's good to be kind, to think the best of people, but never let yourself be taken advantage of. You don’t need to say yes to everything or everyone. You have your own path to follow. Help others if you can, but not by sacrificing who you are. Give a helping hand, sure, but do it from a place of strength, not weakness. Don’t let yourself be stepped on while others climb over you.🤍🍁

One in six deaths worldwide is from cancer, yet research shows that at least 42 percent of cancers could be prevented. Along with healthy eating and not smoking, add these habits to your list of ways to lower your risk. 1. Wear a hat. A widebrimmed hat gives your face an added layer of protection on top of your sunscreen. It also covers the back of your neck and your scalp, where many people forget to apply lotion. A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that people with melanomas on the scalp or neck die at almost twice the rate of people with skin cancer on other parts of their bodies. 2. Consider taking baby aspirin. Research shows it may protect you from as many as ten different cancers, including liver, lung, and prostate cancer. In a recent study, women who took a low-dose aspirin regularly had a 23 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer. Some studies, though, have shown that for certain people, aspirin is not as effective as originally thought in protecting against other diseases. Because aspirin can cause bleeding issues, ask your doctor whether it’s right for you. 3. Indulge in a daily cup of joe. A 2017 review of the evidence indicates that drinking just one cup of coffee—either decaf or regular—every day could lower your risk of several types of cancer, especially liver and endometrial cancer. Scientists think this may be due to the phytochemicals in coffee, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 4. Ditch or dim screens before bed. Studies suggest that high levels of exposure to artificial light at night—especially the blue light emitted by cell phones, TVs, and tablets—may boost your risk of breast and prostate cancer. Light disrupts circadian rhythms, which may weaken your body’s immune function. The science is evolving, but you might want to limit your electronics usage in the evening or use a blue-light filter such as the Night Shift setting on most Apple devices. 5. Check your home for radon. This gas is the secondleading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and as many as 1 out of every 15 homes has unsafe levels. Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the ground under your house, and it’s just as likely to be a problem in newer homes as in older ones. Because radon is odorless and colorless, a test is the only way to know your risk. Pick up a test kit at the hardware store, or hire a professional to check your home. Repeat at least every two to three years. 6. Spend less time sitting. According to a large-scale study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, people who sat more hours during the day had a 24 percent increased risk of colon cancer and a 32 percent increased risk of endometrial cancer compared with those who sat the least. The connection held true even for those who were physically active, indicating that exercise alone is not enough to offset the risks of too much sitting. 7. Get screened for hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is the most commonly reported blood-borne infection in the United States. Yet carriers often don’t know they have the virus, because it has no obvious symptoms. For reasons not entirely understood, baby boomers are five times more likely to have the virus than other adults, so it’s especially important to be tested if you were born between 1945 and 1965. “We can cure hepatitis C,” says Anna Giuliano, PhD, an epidemiologist at the Moffitt Cancer Center. “But if you don’t get screened and it progresses to liver disease, your risk for liver cancer is very high.” 8. Cut out alcohol. Alcohol has been classified as a known carcinogen and has been linked to at least seven types of cancer. While some researchers say alcohol in moderation is OK, a 2018 study that looked at connections between alcohol and different types of cancer suggests that no amount is safe. 9. Rethink that ham sandwich—even if the package says “nitrate-free.” Eating just 15 grams a day of processed meat—that’s a single slice of ham— appears to increase your cancer risk by 4 percent, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. The food industry has responded with new nitrate-free deli meats and bacons, but there’s no evidence that they are any better than traditional varieties. 10. Get the HPV shot. This vaccination prevents up to six types of HPV cancers. The shot was originally recommended just for young people, but recently the FDA approved it for everyone under age 45. 11. Question the need for a CT scan. CT scans are important diagnostic tools, but research shows they are overused. Each blast of radiation can damage DNA and may cause tumors later in life. In one study, researchers predicted that nearly 2 percent of all future cancers in the United States might be caused by CT scans. While the association appears to be slight, if your doctor suggests a CT scan, ask whether it’s possible to try another type of imaging tool that doesn’t use radiation, such as an MRI or an ultrasound. 12. Switch to glass for food storage and heating. Many plastics contain chemicals that may be linked to cancer, says Lorenzo Cohen, PhD, director of integrative medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center and coauthor of Anticancer Living. BPA has gotten the most attention, but some BPA-free products contain a chemical called BPS that is also believed to be harmful. 13. Don’t count on vitamin D. Although previous research had suggested a link between lower levels of the popular supplement and cancer, a clinical trial published in late 2018 found that taking vitamin D did not help prevent the disease. (But it is still important for bone health).