Tag: life
How can we help Ukraine?
- Use your voice
Now is the time to speak up for what is good and right. Advocate for peace on all available platforms. Sign petitions. Write to your MPs and PMs. Are they doing everything they can to support the people of Ukraine and refugees? To promote peace? Here are some key petitions you can add your name to:
https://www.change.org/p/ukraine-war-is-madness – Stop war in Ukraine
https://www.change.org/p/allow-ukraine-refugees-in-the-uk – (UK) Help for refugees
https://www.change.org/p/urgent-appeal-lessen-pet-paperwork-cost-for-people-fleeing-with-pets-from-ukraine-to-uk -Lessen pet paperwork for refugees
https://www.theatomproject.org/100K/ – Petition for nuclear disarmament
https://www.change.org/p/paypal-open-paypal-for-ukraine-block-it-in-russia – Paypal for Ukraine
https://www.change.org/p/10downingstreet-provide-safe-passage-for-africans-and-all-people-of-colour-out-of-ukraine – Safe passage for POC
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/609530 – Wave visa requirement for refugees (UK)
https://www.change.org/p/sean-fraser-make-temporary-visa-free-entry-to-unite-ukrainian-families – Visa free entry for refugees to Canada
https://www.change.org/p/%D0%BD%D0%BF%D0%BE-%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%89%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B0-appeal-to-meps-to-save-lions-from-padalko-zoo-ukraine – Save lions in Ukraine
https://www.change.org/p/nintendo-please-make-nintendo-eshop-available-in-ukraine – One for the kids; enable Nintendo eshop in Ukraine
2. Donate
Donations are not the only way we can help the people of Ukraine during this time of hardship, but they do help significantly. Here are some notable charities to donate to if you are able:
https://donate.careinternational.org.uk – Care International
https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal – If you live in the UK, this is the one to go for; the UK government will match all donations up to £25 million – pound for pound.
https://www.insight-ukraine.org/en/join-donate/ – Insight
https://www.icrc.org/en/where-we-work/europe-central-asia/ukraine – The International Committee of the Red Cross
Charities will vary depending on where you live, so check online for guidance if you’re unsure.
It’s also worth noting that all contributions count, no matter how small. If every person in Germany donated a pound, they could raise over £80 million for Ukrainians in need of support.
3. Volunteer in person
If you really want to go the extra mile (quite literally) you can volunteer to help refugees in countries like Poland, Hungary and Romania. Here are some links if you’re interested:
https://www.gooverseas.com/volunteer-abroad/poland – GoOverseas
https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-for-us/ – Refugee Council
4. Volunteer online
You can also volunteer online if you are unable to do so in person. Links below.
https://www.unv.org/ – United Nations Volunteers
https://volunteering.chester.ac.uk/lookingtovolunteer/virtualvolunteering/ – The UoC has outlined a vast number of volunteering opportunities on their website.
5. Stay aware, stay informed, and stay well
Social media has always been substantially overwhelming for most of us, and that’s only gotten worse these past few years since the pandemic, and now with the invasion of Ukraine. It feels kind of non stop, and you might be feeling stressed, anxious and overloaded. That’s okay. If you were feeling fine and dandy as ever, I’d be a little bit concerned, to be honest. The fact that you’re prone to stress and anxiety tells us two things: 1. you’re human, and 2. your mind is asking you for a break, and it’s okay to give it one. Go on a walk, meditate, read or write – do whatever makes you feel at peace, and never feel guilty for taking time for yourself. If we never took time for ourselves, we’d be so stressed and overwhelmed all of the time that really, we wouldn’t be of much use to anyone. Staying mindful means ensuring that we are our best selves, and when we’re our best selves, we can best help others. So stay aware, stay informed, but please remember to stay well too.
If you’re feeling stressed/anxious and need someone to talk to, here are some useful apps and websites:
https://www.sanvello.com/
https://www.calm.com/
https://www.7cups.com/
https://www.mind.org.uk
https://www.samaritans.org/
If you have made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I feel that now, possibly more than ever before, it is crucial that we all use our voices to advocate for justice and peace – on all fronts and continents. Never convince yourself that your voice is too small to make a difference; that is a complete untruth, and your voice is the most formidable tool, weapon and medic in your armoury. Never underestimate it. United, we can all make a difference, and support by the people of Ukraine during this terrible time however we can.
Keep the faith,
Ashley Green
‘Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.’
Albert Einstein
‘Ships don’t sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don’t let what’s happening around you get inside you and weigh you down.’
Remember this today, when you look at a screen and see the ceaseless stream of bad news. The world is a strange and difficult place at the moment, filled with illness and pain. Forests are blazing, ice caps are rendering. People and animals alike are struggling through these tedious times. Some days the anxiety follows us like shadows, and it’s hard to discern hope, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t still have any. Whatever hardships we are enduring at present will soon come to pass. Please remember this when everything feels a tad too much, and I think it does for many of us at the moment. The worlds a little stormy right now, it has been for a while, but keep on sailing. Our best days are on the horizon. ❤
6 ways you can be kind today
As all of you know, life is not always a smooth, serene sea of peace and happiness. For many of us, more often than not, it’s lonely, and difficult, and sometimes it can even feel like things are never going to get better, no matter what. Despite this fact, many people to this day still choose to embrace conflict and dispute over love and compassion, which in turn, just creates more suffering and unhappiness.
Imagine how much more pleasant the world would be, if we were all to be just a little more kind, a little more understanding towards one another. Even the smallest acts of kindness can make someone’s day – week, month, even – think back to a time when you weren’t in the best place, when things weren’t quite going your way, and think of something that someone said or did that made you feel just that little bit better, and focus on how it made you feel. Now, imagine giving someone else the blessing of that feeling. Kindness is completely transmissible – meaning it’s practically contagious; even the littlest acts of kindness have the power to create a lasting wave of hope that flows through hundreds of people. Below, I’ve come up with a list of 6 ways that you can be kind today (or any day, as a matter of fact) so that you can create your own wave of hope throughout those you care about…
- Be a good friend – a simple ‘how are you?’ every now and then can really make a difference, especially when someone’s feeling down and needs to talk to someone. You could be that someone – and it usually works both ways, so it’s good to maintain that mutual friendship were you can both talk to one another.
- Make someone a cup of tea or coffee – ‘do you want a cup of tea (or coffee)’; I know my face always lights up when I hear those words. It might be a small gesture, but that small gesture can be enough to remind someone that they matter, plus, who doesn’t love tea? (Weirdos!)
- Compliment somebody – This one can go a really long way to increasing somebody’s self love and confidence. Whether it be ‘your hair looks nice,’ ‘you have beautiful eyes’ or ‘I love your outfit’ it’s sure to enchant their face with a beaming smile.
- Hug somebody – Not only is it a great way to show somebody that you care, hugging also triggers a release in Oxycontin, which causes a drop stress hormones and even lowers the heart rate, so you could say that hugging is a natural remedy for stress and anxiety. Hugs all around!
- Make time for people – Watch a film, grab coffee, or just sit and talk with someone. Even just an hour of spending time with somebody else will more than likely lift their mood – and (hopefully) yours too!
- Be forgiving – Anger, betrayal, fear – all of these things can potentially eat us up from the inside out if we don’t get them under control. Perhaps you’ve been let down by someone, perhaps they betrayed you in a way you never thought they would, but by holding on to all of these painful feelings, you’re getting hurt even more. Forgiveness is the natural healing remedy to all of the above, so (although it will take time, as everything worth it in life does) forgive and eventually, let go, so that you (and all other parties) can finally heal and move on.
These are just a few small ways that you can be kind to someone today, but remember -more often than not, it’s the small things in life that make a difference.
Best wishes, and be kind, always
Ashley Green
Quick Tips: 5 Tips & tricks to become a better writer
Hello all, I hope you’re having a wonderful day/evening. I’ve recently come to a certain realisation (not only from my own experience) but from spending time with so many other like-minded writers… Of course, we all want to make it as an author, yet there is a common stumbling block that we have all come face to face with at one time or another – some of us haven’t a clue where to start.
I myself am a self published author, writing more books than I can count on one hand, and I have to confess that on some days, even I struggle to pick up a pen, or sit at my desk to write a mere few lines. However, over the years, I’ve learnt how to overcome these frustrating episodes, using just a few tips and tricks that I’d like to share with you today.
- Number #1: Read! This is by far the most important one. As the extraordinary Virginia Woolf said, ‘read a thousand books and your words will flow like a river,’ and she was absolutely right. I often find that my writing comes ten times more naturally when I’ve been reading regularly. Not only does it give you miles of inspiration, reading naturally expands your vocabulary and often times sets a superlative example of what a good book looks like, so grab a classic, and learn from the masters!
- Number #2: Stop forcing it. I for one know how unbearably frustrating it can be to want to write more than anything, just to be met with episode after episode of writers block. It’s infuriating, but stressing will only aggravate it further. Sometimes the best thing to do, is to take a step back, and take some time out to give your ideas a chance to refresh . Take a calming bath. Make yourself a hot cup of tea or coffee, and try to get inspired along the way. At the end of the day, the best writing comes naturally – from the heart, so let it come to you; there’s no need to force it.
- Number #3: Wear your dreams on your sleeve. Whatever your dream as a writer may be – whether it be to write the next best-selling fantasy series, or to become the worlds most renowned author, wear it on your sleeve. In other words, make it your life’s mission to make it come true. Whenever you doubt yourself, whenever you feel like giving up, remember that dream; that goal. You started writing for a reason, remember? Because you had a dream. Chase it.
- Number #4: Seek support from fellow writers. This has helped me greatly along my journey as an author so far. I’m in touch with writers of all kinds across the globe, in person and online, and I honestly believe that writers are some of the kindest, most supportive people out there. We all have one dream alike; despite our differences, we all share the bane of writers block, and late nights spent toiling over unfinished works, but it’s always reassuring to know that you’re not alone. Even just joining a small writing community whether that be online or in person will be sure to give you that extra inspiration just when you need it.
- Number #5: Believe in yourself. This one is essential if you truly want to make it as an author. You have, and I mean HAVE to believe in yourself. Truly. On some days this will be undoubtedly harder than others, but as long as you have faith in your work and in yourself, you will undoubtedly make it in the end. Us writers are determined, resilient people with the power to save lives and change lives with all but our imaginations. It isn’t always easy; nothing worth it ever is – but if you wear your dreams on your sleeve, and keep on going, one day you will make it as an author.
I hope these tips and tricks have helped you as much as they have helped me along my journey. Wishing you all the best!
Ashley
For updates on my upcoming works follow me on FB at: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyGreen1950/
Free Ebook Offer
Hello all!
My first short story ‘The Turtledove’ is now available to download and read for free until tomorrow. It’s also available on Audible for any of you audiobook fans. Enjoy, & if any of you get the chance I’d be very grateful if you could leave a quick review. 💚
Best wishes,
Ashley
Imagine, its 1956 – over a decade since the war ended. You’re in London, and it’s the worst year of your life. Your wife left you, your dirt poor, and your best friend just moved to Germany. This is the cruel reality of Edgar Carlisle, at least in his mind. Unknowingly suffering from moderate stage Alzheimer’s disease, Edgar Carlisle ventures out on one crisp, winter morning for a mere sign of hope, but what he finds instead, is something much more interesting… ☕️🍁
Audible Link (listen for free with the free trial option): https://www.audible.com/pd/B07NX2N8H9/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-143375&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_143375_rh_us
You can write this book
I hope you’re all having a wonderful day/evening. I just wanted to say this – for all of my extraordinary fellow writers out there – you can do this; you can and you will write that story. We are writers – that means we have the power to make a difference; to change the world, with all but our words! How incredible is that? That that book you’re writing right now – that book could be the next world bestseller. That quote that you just wrote down, that alone could save somebody’s life one day – that quote alone could give someone the hope to carry on.
So if you ever feel like giving up, just remember, you started writing for a reason. Look at J.K. Rowling and F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harper Lee, Tolkien, look at Virginia Woolf – they two were once just like us – full of doubt and fear, and suffering, but they took those things and they transformed them into beauty; stories – stories that are still standing tall on shelves all over the world. So hold on, friends, we’re all in this together. It’s a long and bumpy ride, but it’s always worth it in the end. You won’t be here in hundreds of years to come, but I can promise you, that if you put your heart and soul into it, your books will be – So write them. 
The Turtledove
Hello all!
My first short story ‘The Turtledove’ will once again be available to download and read for free from midnight tonight (GMT) for just 24 hours. It’s also available on Audible for any of you audiobook fans. Enjoy, & if any of you get the chance I’d be very grateful if you could leave a quick review. 💚
Best wishes,
Ashley
Imagine, its 1956 – over a decade since the war ended. You’re in London, and it’s the worst year of your life. Your wife left you, your dirt poor, and your best friend just moved to Germany. This is the cruel reality of Edgar Carlisle, at least in his mind. Unknowingly suffering from moderate stage Alzheimer’s disease, Edgar Carlisle ventures out on one crisp, winter morning for a mere sign of hope, but what he finds instead, is something much more interesting… ☕️🍁
Audible Link (listen for free with the free trial option): https://www.audible.com/pd/B07NX2N8H9/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-143375&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_143375_rh_us
I hope you’re all having a wonderful day/evening. I just wanted to say this – for for all of my extraordinary fellow writers out there – you can do this; you can and you will write that story. We are writers – that means we have the power to make a difference; to change the world, with all but our words! How incredible is that? That that book you’re writing right now – that book could be the next world bestseller. That quote that you just wrote down, that alone could save somebody’s life one day – that quote alone could give someone the hope to carry on.
So if you ever feel like giving up, just remember, you started writing for a reason. Look at J.K. Rowling and F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harper Lee, Tolkien, look at Virginia Woolf – they two were once just like us – full of doubt and fear, and suffering, but they took those things and they transformed them into beauty; stories – stories that are still standing tall on shelves all over the world. So hold on, friends, we’re all in this together. It’s a long and bumpy ride, but it’s always worth it in the end. You won’t be here in hundreds of years to come, but I can promise you, that if you put your heart and soul into it, your books will be – So write them. ❤
Ashley Green's Notebook 