Photo by Erik Mclean
Miami's Romantic Delights: Rooftop Dining, Sunset Cruises, and More
Photo by Karsten Winegeart
Miami is a city that oozes romance, offering numerous spots for couples to celebrate Valentine's Day in style. You can experience an unforgettable evening at Juvia, a rooftop restaurant in Miami Beach that boasts of stunning views of the city skyline and delectable cuisine. If Italian food is your choice, Casa Tua is an excellent option for a romantic dinner, featuring live music that creates a cozy ambiance perfect for a candlelit meal with your loved one.
For a memorable experience, take a sunset cruise along Biscayne Bay and relish the breathtaking views of the Miami skyline while sipping champagne and celebrating your love. If you're feeling more adventurous, a couples' jet ski tour is a thrilling way to explore Miami's famous waterways together.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a must-visit destination if you're looking for a touch of classic romance. This historic landmark offers a picturesque setting for a romantic stroll through the lush gardens, admiring the stunning architecture, and immersing yourselves in the beauty surrounding you.
If you want to unwind and indulge in a day of relaxation, a couple's spa day is the perfect treat. Miami has several luxurious spas that offer a wide range of treatments, from massages to facials and everything in between, ensuring a day of pampering and bonding that will rejuvenate your body and soul.
Miami offers endless opportunities for couples to create cherished and memorable moments on Valentine's Day through culinary delights, breathtaking views, adventurous experiences, or romantic settings. So, seize the day, embark on a romantic adventure, and let Miami be the destination of your next romantic getaway. With Miami's endless possibilities, you can be confident that your Valentine's Day celebration will be nothing short of perfect.
If you enjoy my work, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee or checking out my author page on Amazon. Also, check me out on YouTube, Instagram, Apple Music, and Spotify.
Subscribe to my Newsletter Joanne’s Substack
Photography as Therapy: How Capturing Images Can Help with Mental Health
Disclamier: This post includes content written by AI and with the help of Grammerly
Photo by Marek Piwnicki
In recent years, the therapeutic benefits of photography on mental health have gained recognition. Photography has become a powerful tool for individuals seeking to manage and improve their mental well-being. This article aims to explore how photography can serve as therapy, highlighting its ability to promote self-expression, increase mindfulness, and foster a sense of purpose and connection.
Self-expression and Empowerment:
Photography provides a unique and personal outlet for individuals to convey emotions, feelings, and thoughts that may be difficult to express verbally. Through this lens, individuals can capture their innermost thoughts and perspectives, fostering a sense of empowerment and enabling them to reclaim their narratives.
Mindfulness and Being Present:
Engaging in photography requires individuals to be actively present in the moment. It encourages individuals to observe and appreciate their surroundings, focusing on details that may go unnoticed in everyday life. This mindfulness-based practice helps to cultivate a greater sense of awareness, reducing stress and anxiety while promoting relaxation and mental clarity.
Creating a Sense of Purpose and Connection:
Photography can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Whether through documenting personal experiences or capturing moments in the world around them, it gives a renewed sense of meaning and direction. Furthermore, participating in photography communities or sharing one's work can foster connections and a sense of belonging.
Photography has emerged as an effective form of therapy that can positively impact mental health. By enabling self-expression, promoting mindfulness, and fostering a sense of purpose and connection, it offers individuals a powerful tool to navigate their mental well-being. As more people recognize the benefits, photography as therapy continues to gain traction, providing a creative and accessible avenue for healing and growth.
If you enjoy my work, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee or checking out my author page on Amazon. Also, check me out on YouTube, Instagram, Apple Music, and Spotify.
Subscribe to my Newsletter Joanne’s Substack
A Short Story About a Dog Owner
Disclamier: This post includes content written by AI and with the help of Grammerly
In a charming little town, nestled among rolling hills and verdant meadows, there lived a dog owner named Sarah. She was a kind and gentle soul, known for her big heart and love for animals. Her faithful companion was a golden retriever named Buddy. Together, they explored the countryside, chasing butterflies and rolling in the grass. Buddy was more than just a pet to Sarah—he was her loyal friend, constant companion, and source of joy and comfort.
Photo by Oscar Sutton
Every morning, Sarah and Buddy embarked on their daily adventures, laughing and exploring the beauty of nature. No matter what the day brought, they faced it together, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.
However, one day, tragedy struck when Buddy fell ill. Sarah's heart broke as she watched her beloved companion grow weaker and weaker. Despite her best efforts and countless trips to the vet, Buddy's condition continued to decline, and Sarah feared the worst.
In those dark and uncertain moments, Sarah's love for Buddy shone brighter than ever. She stayed by his side day and night, comforting him with gentle words and tender caresses, refusing to give up hope even though the odds seemed against them.
And then, something miraculous happened. Buddy's condition began to improve, his eyes brightening and his tail wagging with newfound energy. It was as if he had been given a second chance at life, and Sarah vowed to cherish every moment they had together.
From that day forward, Sarah and Buddy lived each day to the fullest, embracing every opportunity to explore, play, and bask in the beauty of their shared bond. Although their journey together was not without its challenges, their love and devotion carried them through, forever united in the timeless embrace of friendship and loyalty.
If you enjoy my work, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee or checking out my author page on Amazon. Also, check me out on YouTube, Instagram, Apple Music, and Spotify.
Subscribe to my Newsletter Joanne’s Substack
A Short Story About a Photographer Named Riley
Disclamier: This post includes content written by AI and with the help of Grammerly
Photo by Tim Mossholder
In the heart of a bustling city, there lived a passionate photographer named Riley. Her camera was her constant companion, capturing the beauty of life in fleeting moments.
It all began with an old film camera gifted to her by her grandfather. The simple joy of preserving memories and creating art drove her to wander the city streets, searching for inspiration.
One autumn morning, Riley stumbled upon a street performer playing a melancholic tune on a weathered violin. The emotion etched upon the performer's face and the haunting melody captivated Riley, and she took a photograph with a single click. Little did she know, that one photograph would soon become famous worldwide. When she shared the image on social media, it quickly went viral, touching the hearts of millions of people with its raw beauty and poignant storytelling.
Despite the fame and fortune that came her way, Riley remained humble and true to her passion for capturing the beauty of life. Offers from galleries, magazines, and art collectors poured in, but Riley knew that the true reward was in the act of capturing moments that would last forever. For years, she continued to wander the streets with her camera, searching for magic and wonder.
Riley's story is a testament to the power of passion and the beauty of life. Her photographs inspire countless others to find joy and purpose in the world around us. With each click of her camera, Riley reminds us that life is fleeting, but the memories we create can last forever.
If you enjoy my work, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee or checking out my author page on Amazon. Also, check me out on YouTube, Instagram, Apple Music, and Spotify.
Subscribe to my Newsletter Joanne’s Substack
Intro to Street Photography
Photo by Zeynep Sümer on unsplash.com
Candid, urban, and fine art are all part of street photography. One of the most challenging genres of photography but rewarding. Street photography requires patience, dedication, bravery, and hard work. Street photography documents people in their environment, and also can include landscape and cities (with or without people). Wikipedia defines street photography as “photography conducted for art or enquiry that features unmediated chance encounters and random incidents.” In other words street photography is capturing or documenting life in public places.
Street photography can be done anywhere, it is taken mainly in a public area. It doesn’t have to be in the street . For example you can go to beaches, museums, restaurants, malls, and even public transportation. It doesn’t only have to be candid, you can ask permission from strangers to photograph them. Eric Kim says, “the most important thing in street photography is to capture emotion, humanity, and soul.”
Photo by Volkan Vardar on unsplash.com
Tips for Street Photography
Tip number 1- Let the action come to you. Find a location and let things come to you.
Tip number 2- Street Portraits. Street portraits capture the soul and story of a person. Ask permission, let them know why you’re taking the picture (for a class, for a project, or you think they look good) and pay attention to the background.
Tip number 3- Pick the right camera and know your camera. The best camera to use is the one you already have. Most people have a smartphone with a decent camera or any light weight camera. Know and get familiar with your camera settings, know how to focus (manual or auto), the exposure triangle (iso, aperture, and shutter speed), etc.
Photo by Ivan Tsaregorodtsev on unsplash.com
Tip number 4- Shoot from different angles. Taking the picture from a different angle adds interest. There are many angles like point of view, low/high view, from standing on an object (chair or ladder) to laying on the ground or shooting from the hip.
Street photography or art in general gives us free range to express our creative side, just have fun and enjoy the art you are creating.
If you enjoy my work, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee or checking out my author page on Amazon. Also, check me out on YouTube, Instagram, Apple Music, and Spotify.
Subscribe to my Newsletter Joanne’s Substack
What Anxiety Looks Like?
Photo from pixabay.com
Anxiety can make you feel worried or scared. Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as a fast heartbeat or sweating. It is a normal human response to be anxious in certain situations. You may have an anxiety disorder if you feel anxious all or most of the time.
Anxiety comes in different forms. Some people experience worrying, a racing heart, or feeling on edge.
Here are some things people say anxiety feels like:
“Being so scared you’re paralyzed”
“Your heart is beating out of your chest”
“Constant worry and fear”
“Being powerless against your own mind”
“Not being good enough and always blaming yourself”
“Everything is happening all at once”
“Pretending you’re okay but really you can’t breathe or think straight”
Anxiety affects the body, thoughts, and behaviors.
You know the thoughts, feelings and symptoms well if you ever experience anxiety. Self-consciousness, excessive worry, sleepless nights, to name a few. Sometimes it is hard to express, day in and day out.
Symptoms:
Panic, fear, and uneasiness
Feelings of panic, doom, or danger
Sleep problems
Not being able to stay calm and still
Cold, sweaty, numb, or tingling hands or feet
Shortness of breath
Breathing faster and more quickly than normal (hyperventilation)
Heart palpitations
Dry mouth
Nausea
Tense muscles
Dizziness
Thinking about a problem over and over again and unable to stop (rumination)
Inability to concentrate
Intensely or obsessively avoiding feared objects or places
Types of Anxiety:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Common Types of Anxiety: Panic Disorder.
Common Types of Anxiety: Social Anxiety Disorder.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Separation Anxiety Disorder.
Common Types of Anxiety: Phobias.
Managing Anxiety Disorder Symptoms:
Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts before the day is down may help you relax so you’re not tossing and turning with anxious thoughts all night.
Manage your negative thoughts. Thinking positive thoughts instead of worrisome ones can help reduce anxiety. This can be challenging if you have certain types of anxiety, however. Cognitive behavioral therapy can teach you how to redirect your thoughts.
Get together with friends. Whether it’s in person, on the phone, or the computer, social connections help people thrive and stay healthy. People who have a close group of friends that support and chat with them have lower levels of social anxiety.
Seek support. Some people find it helpful and uplifting to talk to others who are experiencing the same symptoms and emotions. Self-help or support groups let you share your concerns and achievements with others who are or who have been there.
Resources:
https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/learn-more-about-conditions/anxiety-disorders/
https://www.mhanational.org/sites/default/files/Life%20with%20Anxiety%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
https://artisanclinical.com/what-anxiety-looks-like/
https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-disorders#1-2
If you enjoy my work, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee or checking out my author page on Amazon. Also, check me out on YouTube, Instagram, Apple Music, and Spotify.
Subscribe to my Newsletter Joanne’s Substack
Why Art Matters?
Photo from Unsplash
According to the Dictionary:
Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
According to Wikipedia:
Art is a diverse range of human activities involving the creation of visual, auditory or performing artifacts (artworks), which express the creator’s imagination, conceptual ideas, or technical skill, intended to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. Other activities related to the production of works of art include art criticism and the history of art.
Mimesis:
Art is the representation or replication of something beautiful or meaningful.
Expression:
Art is the expression of subjective experience and emotion.
Formalism:
Art is the arrangement of lines, colors, shapes, and other aesthetic elements.
The Power of Art
Art grabs attention/awareness, inspires us to act, and gives us a way to express what’s important to us. Stimulants creativity and it heals. Keeps us hopeful, makes us feel less lonely, rebalances us, helps us to be more appreciative. Art is a universal language.
Art expresses a person’s view of the world. Art creates the world we live in, it’s wherever you go. It’s personal to every individual. It educates, it’s understanding, creates relationships, creates dialogue, and fosters new ideas.
3 Major Forms of Art Generally Includes
Visual Arts
In visual art, artists use a canvas, pen, camera, or different creative objects to send a message. The elements of visual arts are line, shape and form, tone/value, texture, color, and space. Visual art forms include fine art, decorative art, and contemporary art. The main forms of visual arts include ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpting, photography, design, and filmmaking.
Literature Arts
The main genres of literature arts include Poetry, Play-write, Non-Fiction, Fiction, and Folktale. It shares a story and develops a theme for the audience. While it can stand alone as a form of art, it also is closely related to other art forms. It is a body of written works of a language, period, or culture.
Performing Arts
There are four elements of performing arts time, space, the performer’s voice or body or presence, and a relationship between performer and audience. Performance can be scripted or unscripted, spontaneous or planned. It can be live or via the media. Performing arts may include dance, music, opera, theatre, musical theatre, and spoken word.
Other Forms of Art
Culinary arts (including cooking, chocolate making, and winemaking)
Graphic arts (painting, drawing, design, and other forms expressed on flat surfaces)
Plastic arts (sculpture, modeling)
Architecture (often including interior design)
Some art forms combine a visual element with performance (e.g.cinematography), or artwork with the written word (e.g. comics). From prehistoric cave paintings to modern-day films, art serves as a vessel for storytelling and conveying humankind’s relationship with the environment.
Overall art is about something being made creatively and convey a cultural message. Art gives people a voice. Art is for everyone. Art tells the story of the people. Art is a creative outlet.
If you enjoy my work, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee or checking out my author page on Amazon. Also, check me out on YouTube, Instagram, Apple Music, and Spotify.
4 Ways to Keep a Prayer Journal
Photo from Unsplash
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from affiliate links in this article. If you purchase a product via my link I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Track prayer requests, write letters to God. If you're struggling to pray, a prayer journal can help put your thoughts and feelings together. A prayer journal has always helped me with my walk with God. A prayer journal is an intimate conversation with God recorded in written form. A prayer journal is meant to keep track of what God is teaching and revealing to you, and your growth.
No matter how we pray, prayer always draws us closer to God. The most important benefit of prayer no matter if it’s written or spoken, is that we grow and draw near to God.
Get your prayer journal started with Field Notes or a Moleskine Classic Notebook.
Start out your prayer journal with these 4 inspirational ideas.
Pick a Bible Verse.
Follow a bible devotional book or a bible app. Choose a bible verse that speaks to you, pray and meditate on it. Write out a prayer, write like you’re writing a letter to God. There’s no right or wrong way, just write how you feel at that moment. Add what you’re thankful and grateful for.
Keep Track of Prayer Requests.
Whether you are praying for a friend, a family member, or a stranger. You can write down the prayer. Put their name down and the prayer request. Keep track of the prayer and continue to pray for them.
Doodle or Draw Your Prayers.
You don’t have to be an artist to draw or doodle, just be creative. Draw out a bible verse, a bible quote, God’s promises, or prayers. Draw around the words, use markers, highlighters, underline words, or draw borders. The goal is to focus on the person you are praying for or the situation you are praying about.
Use Prayer Journaling Prompts.
Here are a few prayer journal prompts to guide you:
Tell God the goals you have in life and ask for His guidance.
Tell God what you’re afraid of and pray for courage.
Pray for your enemies.
Write a scripture that brings you peace. What is God saying to you?
How can you serve God better?
Write out the lyrics of a Christian song or hymn that brings you joy.
Write a scripture that brings you joy. How can you apply it to your life?
If you enjoy my work, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee or checking out my author page on Amazon. Also, check me out on YouTube, Instagram, Apple Music, and Spotify.
You Can Have Jesus and a Therapist Too
Photo from Unsplash
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in the United States 1 and 5 adults experience mental illness each year, 1 and 6 youth experience mental disorders each year, and 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
You can have faith in God and go to therapy. Everyone has mental health and we need to pay attention to it. Therapy is investing in you; it doesn’t mean you’re a bad Christian. You're the only you that you have, the longest relationship, and the best thing you can do is take care of you. Jesus is our number one healer but just as He provides medical doctors for physical health He also provides us with therapists and counselors for our mental health. Therapy and counseling is a gift from Jesus.
In the church there is a stigma when it comes to seeing a therapist. Some Christians think that you should only rely on God and His power, we don’t need anything else.
Some may think going to a therapist or taking medication for mental health issues is weak faith. But it is dangerous to think that way. The bible says we also need each other along the way. God may be leading you into joining a support group, individual therapy, talking to friends, or taking medication. It can save your life. God wants you to be whole. If it takes therapy to make you whole and what God made you to be and you having a peaceful mind.
Then it’s okay to have Jesus and a therapist too!
If you are longing for healing for mental health seek God in prayer first with an opened heart and mind. Then seek counseling wherever God leads you. Getting help is not a sign of weakness it’s a sign of courage.
Photo by Aaron Burden from Unsplash