Having siblings isn’t always smooth sailing. There are times when they get on your nerves and test your patience, No matter how old you get. But despite this, you have to admit that they make life way more colorful, and that you can’t imagine growing up without them by your side.
To celebrate National Siblings Day, we asked a few readers about their favorite memories with their siblings. Here’s what they said!
“They’re all about tough love.”
“I’m an only girl with three older brothers, so you can imagine how crazy it can get at home sometimes. But the great thing about growing up in a brood of boys is that though they’re all about tough love, they really dote on you. They taught me how to play basketball, and when I told them that I wanted to try out for the varsity team, they would take turns practicing with me after school. And when I played my first championship game, they made a huge banner for me and would loudly cheer every time I made a shot. It was a bit embarrassing, but looking back, it was a very sweet gesture that really showed they care.” – Chrissy, 33
“I was his best man.”
“I’ll never forget the time I stood as the best man at my younger brother’s wedding. I saw him grow up right before my very eyes, and sometimes I still think of him as a gangly, nerdy teenager. Seeing him at the altar, promising he’ll love his wife forever, really brought tears to my eyes. He turned out to be a really great guy, and I’ll always be so proud of him.” – Brian, 37
“We closed our gap at a family vacation.”
“My favorite moment with my sister was when we planned a surprise Caribean vacation for our mom, who raised us by herself. My sister and I have never been really close since there’s an eight-year age gap between us, but we collaborated for months to plan the trip–comparing destinations and plane tickets, looking for resorts, planning the itinerary, and shopping for outfits. The experience brought us closer, and now we’re planning to go to Europe, just the two of us!” – Elizabeth, 28
“We watched shooting stars together.”
“We’re 6 siblings, a mix of girls and boys. One evening when I was in grade school, my eldest brother snuck me and my siblings out to the backyard when our parents were already asleep so we can watch a meteor shower. We arranged our sleeping bags in a circle and fell asleep while counting shooting stars. I think that’s my favorite moment with my siblings.” – Jan, 25
Complete your favorite moments with your siblings with a Nixplay Frame! It’s the perfect addition to your home. Take advantage of our National Siblings Day sale and get up to 25% off selected frames, only until April 10!
Nixplay joined the Brain Injury Alliance New Jersey (BAINJ) last March 27 at their 13th Annual Gala to celebrate Brain Injury Awareness month. The gala honored people who have gone above and beyond to understand brain injuries and learn how to properly care for those who suffer from them. It was an evening that inspired hope and healing, raising thousands of dollars for a worthy cause.
Nixplay frames exhibited at the Brain Injury Alliance New Jersey’s Annual Gala
We were able to talk to Kristen Olsen, BAINJ’s Communications Manager, who shared with us the importance of awareness and education in helping patients lead independent and confident lives.
Please tell us about Brain Injury Alliance New Jersey.
Kristen Olsen: The mission of the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey is to support and advocate for individuals impacted by brain injury, and to raise awareness through education and prevention. Our vision is a world where the quality of life for people impacted is maximized, while increasing independence and creating a world in which they can thrive.
What are the organization’s major milestones? Any specific stories you would like to share with us?
Kristen Olsen: The organization was founded in 1981 by a small group of concerned parents of children with brain injury. The first program to go into effect was the Helpline, a Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. phone line through which concerned members of the community could get connected to resources and information. In the nearly 40 years since its inception, BIANJ has received 1,000 calls per year from survivors, family members, friends, caregivers, health and human service professionals, and the community at large.
Our other support programs include: BIANJ CARES, a free care management program for adults over the age of 21 with brain injury; CARES for KIDS, a program for those under 21; an extensive Support Coordination branch that works with the Department of Developmental Disabilities; and Camp TREK, a week-long residential program that provides social and recreational opportunities for adults with brain injury while also giving caregivers a week of respite. We also have support groups in nearly all New Jersey counties.
Members of the Brain Injury Alliance New Jersey at their 13th Annual Gala
Can you tell us a little about the leading causes of brain injury? Does BIANJ have programs that minimize the risk of brain injury?
Kristen Olsen: The leading causes of brain injury include falls, motor vehicle crashes, assaults, and self-harm. BIANJ has created a series of programs to address these causes and work towards preventing brain injury.
BIANJ hosts a number of senior fall prevention programs, including Heads Up Seniors and A Matter of Balance. Both help seniors lead independent and confident lives.
The Champion Schools Program was created nearly a decade ago as an opportunity for students and staff of New Jersey high schools to address teen driving safety. Each school chooses a teen driving safety topic and uses different methods to spread the message. A panel of judges review the campaigns and award winners with driving simulators for their school.
Concussion prevention has also become a main focus for BIANJ. Through a concussion committee comprised of community partners, BIANJ has created a number of resources for parents, student athletes, coaches, and school and medical professionals, including online courses that offer CME’s, coaches concussion courses, a concussion-specific website, and more.
Education is another main component of BIANJ programs. Efforts are made throughout the year to ensure that people impacted by brain injury, as well as professionals, have the most up-to-date information. This 2019, the Health and Human Service Professionals trainings will focus on Domestic Violence and Brain Injury. The Annual Seminar for Professionals, which will take place in Edison, NJ in May, is focused on ‘Moving Forward in Brain Injury.” The topics will include yoga and meditation, craniosacral therapy, neurotoxicity, sex and intimacy, neuropsychiatric issues, and more.
In addition to professional seminars, BIANJ also hosts an annual family-centric conference designed to provide the most recent and relevant information. Topics include friendships and relationships, cognition and memory, art therapy, agitation, and consumer fraud awareness.
How can we learn more about these topics?
Kristen Olsen: Free webinars are available 24/7 on BIANJ’s website. Subjects include travel skills, activity recovery post-concussion, voice assistive technology, deep thinking through improved sleep, caring for caregivers, and more. Free in-person traveling workshops for a variety of topics can also be reviewed and requested.
How can we join your cause and be advocates for people with brain injuries?
Kristen Olsen: BIANJ offers advocacy services to the brain injury community and the state of New Jersey through our Advocacy and Public Affairs department. Through the department and CHIC, the Council for the Head Injured Community, BIANJ works to champion and publicize the advocacy, rights, and needs of people who have been impacted by brain injury. Members of CHIC are active in New Jersey and the national capital to ensure the voices of the brain injury community are heard.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the impacts of brain injury, you can contact BIANJ Helpline at 1-800-669-4323 or visit their website at https://bianj.org/.
Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.
Having siblings isn’t always a blast. They snoop through your stuff, annoy you to no end, and get into the most ridiculous fights. But they’re also the people you can depend on, especially when things get rough. They’ve seen you through your awkward puberty phase, comforted you when your heart got broken, and stood by you tirelessly through all of life’s ups and downs. In short, they rock.
With National Siblings Day coming up, here are some true reasons why your brothers and sisters are the best. Read on.
Having a sibling makes you a better person.
A study at Brigham Young University found that “having a loving sibling of either gender promoted good deeds, such as helping a neighbor or watching out for other kids at school.” The study also found that loving siblings encourage more acts of kindness versus loving parents.
Having siblings can prolong your life.
The same study found that, on average, people who have excellent relationships with friends and family live 7.5 years longer than those with poor social ties. It’s theorized that caring for loved ones (and, by effect, having a good relationship with your siblings) will also inspire you to take better care of yourself.
Having siblings can improve your social skills.
People who are close to their siblings are natural diplomats. They’re so used to dealing with different personalities, unpredictable mood swings, and petty fights on a regular basis, that they could probably be called upon to settle the peace should World War III erupt. Given this, it’s not surprising that folks with siblings usually have better relationships with their peers.
Having a sibling can affect your weight.
And no, it’s not because you can easily get them to go with you on late-night pizza runs. According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, kids with obese siblings are more than five times more likely to be overweight as well. Because younger siblings look up to older children, establishing good dietary habits will prove to be beneficial for the whole family.
Having siblings can make you happier.
It has been found that people who grew up with sisters are able to communicate more openly, are more independent, and are more supportive of each other compared to people who have no sisters. Isn’t sisterhood great?
Don’t forget to celebrate your bond with your family this coming National Siblings Day! Get up to 25% off selected Nixplay Frames, only until April 10!
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
You can choose your friends, but you cannot choose your siblings. That’s what makes your bond with your brother or sister so special: You’re stuck with each other through good times and bad times. You’re best friends one minute, only to be in a screaming match the next. But whatever happens, one thing’s for sure: You’ll always have each other’s backs, come what may.
This National Siblings Day, don’t forget to celebrate the truest ties that bind. Let’s start by listing some things you’ll definitely be able to relate to if you’ve got a brother or a sister (or both!).
1. People always tell you that you and your siblings look alike.
Of course, you’re the better-looking one. 😉
2. Annoying your siblings can be counted as one of your hobbies.
You’ve placed bugs on their desks, teased them mercilessly in front of their crushes, and would scare them every chance you get. It’s amazing you still love each other.
3. You’ve snooped through each other’s belongings and have borrowed (or taken) each other’s stuff without asking for permission.
And you always feel so triumphant when you return the item you borrowed without them noticing that it was gone in the first place! Speaking of borrowing things…
4. Your wardrobe doubles in size If you have a sibling who’s the same size as you.
More clothing options!
5. You can find hand-me-downs from your siblings in your wardrobe.
You’ve been into sustainability way before it was considered cool.
6. You’re extremely competitive.
There’s always some pressure to be better than your siblings, and you never waste an opportunity to prove that you’re smarter, stronger, and wittier than them–whether you’re showing your report card to your parents, or fighting over the last bag of chips in the pantry.
7. You’ve been called your sibling’s name several times in your life.
And a frazzled parent has run through the names of all the members of your family (including your dog) before landing on yours.
8. You’re bound to be referred to as “so-and-so’s sibling” at one point or another in your life.
Especially if you both study at the same school.
9. Your morning routine is timed down to the last minute.
That’s what happens when you have to share a bathroom with a sibling.
10. You’ll always love each other.
There may be times when you’ve wanted to pull each other’s hair out, but at the end of the day, they’ll always be the coolest people in your book, and you can’t imagine growing up without them by your side.
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
Luck: Some people are born with buckets of it, while others just can’t get on its good side. The truth is that getting lucky is a combination of being at the right place at the right time, and making the most of the opportunities that come your way. It’s not a magic pill, but a recipe with several ingredients. And the more work you put in, chances are the luckier you’ll be.
In addition, your perception of how lucky you are depends on your outlook in life. If you always see the glass as half-empty, then feeling lucky would not come easy. Optimists, on the other hand, will be able to see the silver lining in the most unlucky circumstances. Indeed, luck is what you make of it.
Even if you’re already the luckiest person on earth, you’ll agree that it wouldn’t hurt to add extra luck into your life! Here are some ways to do so.
1. Believe you’re lucky.
It all starts in your mind. Believing that you’re lucky will change your perspective on things, and will make you realize that you’re not as down on your luck as you once thought. A few positive thoughts go a long way!
2. Give yourself a chance.
Ever chanced upon a contest you wanted to join, but didn’t bother sending an entry for because you didn’t think you’d win anyway? When this happens, you’re depriving yourself of the opportunity to create luck for yourself. Always ask yourself, ‘what do I have to lose?’ Chances are your losses will be negligible compared to the potential payoff you’d get. Always go back to the previous item: Remember, you’re luckier than you think!
3. Remember the golden rule.
‘Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.’ Treat others with kindness and take every opportunity to spread joy and happiness, and you’ll find your good karma (and your good luck) increasing.
4. Practice Feng Shui.
The Chinese practice Feng Shui to bring balance, good health, wealth, and luck into their lives. Its basic tenets revolve around the flow of positive energy, or Chi. The more harmonious your surroundings are, the easier it is for Chi to flow freely. Some things you can do is to keep your surroundings neat and clean at all times, add plants to your home, and use crystals to amplify your energy.
5. Have a lucky charm.
There’s no such thing as too much luck, and it surely wouldn’t hurt to have a few lucky charms to increase your chances of success! And if you think that carrying around a lucky charm is childish, think again: Even high-profile personalities like former U.S.A. President Barack Obama, Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles, and Fashion Designer Tory Burch carry small trinkets to boost their luck.
6. Work harder.
Your journey through life can be compared to a stroll along a corridor lined with doors, wherein you have the option to choose which ones you’d like to unlock and step through. Some doors will lead to nicer places, but will require a bit more effort to open. Are you willing to put in the extra work to attain a brighter future? It’s all up to you.
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
