0
81
0
Samuel Chi-divine ic_sammie
*I Will Keep Pushing Until I Push Through*
I'll keep pushing, until I push through. Though the storms are fierce and roughly threatening, I will keep pushing. Though I might be uncertain in the journey and don't know how far I've gone and how much distance is left for me, I'll keep pushing. Though there's no one there to lean on and no support to beckon, I'll keep pushing. Though my strength is becoming weaker, and I cannot find the courage to continue, yet I'll keep pushing. Though the walls seem to be cracking and are about to collapse on me, with so much unseen danger, I'll keep pushing. Though I feel deserted, and find no one to believe in my dreams or help build with me, I'll keep pushing. Though the challenges may overwhelm me, and a whisper to quit surges its way to my heart, I'll keep pushing.
Though the darkness tries to consume me, and the light seems too far away, I'll keep pushing. Though every step feels like a struggle, and every breath is a battle, I'll keep pushing. Though the weight of my doubts and fears threatens to crush me, I'll keep pushing. Though the path ahead is shrouded in uncertainty, and the future seems unclear, I'll keep pushing. Though I'm tired, worn out, and exhausted, I'll keep pushing. Though the voices of negativity echo in my mind, telling me I'm not good enough, I'll keep pushing.
For every step forward, I'll take two more. For every obstacle, I'll find a way around it. For every setback, I'll learn and grow stronger. I'll keep pushing, not because I'm fearless, but because I'm brave. Not because I'm perfect, but because I'm persistent. Not because I have all the answers, but because I'm willing to learn.
I'll keep pushing, until I reach the other side. Until I emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. Until I've achieved my dreams, and fulfilled my purpose. I'll keep pushing, until I've pushed through.
So, I'll take a deep breath, square my shoulders, and keep moving forward. I'll face my fears, and overcome my doubts. I'll push through the pain, and rise above the struggles. I'll keep pushing, until I've reached the pinnacle of success. And when I finally emerge victorious, I'll look back on the journey, and smile. I'll smile at the struggles, and the setbacks. I'll smile at the doubts, and the fears. For I will have pushed through, and come out stronger on the other side.
I keep pushing, for necessity is laid on me to push until I push through for the millions of lives that are connected to my breakthrough.
Category: Motivation - in Blogs
I'll keep pushing, until I push through. Though the storms are fierce and roughly threatening, I will keep pushing. Though I might be uncertain in the journey and don't know how far I've gone and how much distance is left for me, I'll keep pushing. Though there's no one there to lean on and no support to beckon, I'll keep pushing. Though my strength is becoming weaker, and I cannot find the courage to continue, yet I'll keep pushing. Though the walls seem to be cracking and are about to collapse on me, with so much unseen danger, I'll keep pushing. Though I feel deserted, and find no one to believe in my dreams or help build with me, I'll keep pushing. Though the challenges may overwhelm me, and a whisper to quit surges its way to my heart, I'll keep pushing.
Though the darkness tries to consume me, and the light seems too far away, I'll keep pushing. Though every step feels like a struggle, and every breath is a battle, I'll keep pushing. Though the weight of my doubts and fears threatens to crush me, I'll keep pushing. Though the path ahead is shrouded in uncertainty, and the future seems unclear, I'll keep pushing. Though I'm tired, worn out, and exhausted, I'll keep pushing. Though the voices of negativity echo in my mind, telling me I'm not good enough, I'll keep pushing.
For every step forward, I'll take two more. For every obstacle, I'll find a way around it. For every setback, I'll learn and grow stronger. I'll keep pushing, not because I'm fearless, but because I'm brave. Not because I'm perfect, but because I'm persistent. Not because I have all the answers, but because I'm willing to learn.
I'll keep pushing, until I reach the other side. Until I emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. Until I've achieved my dreams, and fulfilled my purpose. I'll keep pushing, until I've pushed through.
So, I'll take a deep breath, square my shoulders, and keep moving forward. I'll face my fears, and overcome my doubts. I'll push through the pain, and rise above the struggles. I'll keep pushing, until I've reached the pinnacle of success. And when I finally emerge victorious, I'll look back on the journey, and smile. I'll smile at the struggles, and the setbacks. I'll smile at the doubts, and the fears. For I will have pushed through, and come out stronger on the other side.
I keep pushing, for necessity is laid on me to push until I push through for the millions of lives that are connected to my breakthrough.
Category: Motivation - in Blogs
*I Will Keep Pushing Until I Push Through*<br />
<br />
I'll keep pushing, until I push through. Though the storms are fierce and roughly threatening, I will keep pushing. Though I might be uncertain in the journey and don't know how far I've gone and how much distance is left for me, I'll keep pushing. Though there's no one there to lean on and no support to beckon, I'll keep pushing. Though my strength is becoming weaker, and I cannot find the courage to continue, yet I'll keep pushing. Though the walls seem to be cracking and are about to collapse on me, with so much unseen danger, I'll keep pushing. Though I feel deserted, and find no one to believe in my dreams or help build with me, I'll keep pushing. Though the challenges may overwhelm me, and a whisper to quit surges its way to my heart, I'll keep pushing. <br />
<br />
<br />
Though the darkness tries to consume me, and the light seems too far away, I'll keep pushing. Though every step feels like a struggle, and every breath is a battle, I'll keep pushing. Though the weight of my doubts and fears threatens to crush me, I'll keep pushing. Though the path ahead is shrouded in uncertainty, and the future seems unclear, I'll keep pushing. Though I'm tired, worn out, and exhausted, I'll keep pushing. Though the voices of negativity echo in my mind, telling me I'm not good enough, I'll keep pushing.<br />
<br />
For every step forward, I'll take two more. For every obstacle, I'll find a way around it. For every setback, I'll learn and grow stronger. I'll keep pushing, not because I'm fearless, but because I'm brave. Not because I'm perfect, but because I'm persistent. Not because I have all the answers, but because I'm willing to learn.<br />
<br />
I'll keep pushing, until I reach the other side. Until I emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. Until I've achieved my dreams, and fulfilled my purpose. I'll keep pushing, until I've pushed through.<br />
<br />
So, I'll take a deep breath, square my shoulders, and keep moving forward. I'll face my fears, and overcome my doubts. I'll push through the pain, and rise above the struggles. I'll keep pushing, until I've reached the pinnacle of success. And when I finally emerge victorious, I'll look back on the journey, and smile. I'll smile at the struggles, and the setbacks. I'll smile at the doubts, and the fears. For I will have pushed through, and come out stronger on the other side.<br />
<br />
I keep pushing, for necessity is laid on me to push until I push through for the millions of lives that are connected to my breakthrough.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Motivation - in Blogs</span>
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Samuel Chi-divine ic_sammie
Bent in Heaven's Twist
I wear a smile, a fragile disguise
A mask that hides, the tears I've cried
The heavens twist, in a cruel design
A fate that's sealed, yet I'm left to redefine
In heavenly design, I'm lost in pain
A twist of fate, that drives me insane
The stars align, yet I'm still unsure
A celestial guide, that's hard to endure
I'm bent and broken, in a world so grand
A fragile soul, in a body so unplanned
The heavens whisper, "You're strong and free"
But I'm trapped in doubts, that haunt me relentlessly
I search for answers, in the darkest night
A glimmer of hope, that shines with all its might
But the twist of fate, it plays a cruel game
Leaving me shattered, with a heart that's tamed
In twisted threads, I'm woven with flaws
A fragile fabric, with scars that never fade
The heavens bend, in a mysterious spin
A divine irony, that I'm forced to give in
I'm a paradox, of strength and weakness combined
A human heart, that's constantly redefined
The twist of heaven's hand, a mysterious fate
A life that's unpredictable, with moments that create
I yearn for solace, in the chaos and strife
A peaceful haven, where I can be alive
But the heavens twist, in a celestial rhyme
A melody of pain, that echoes through my prime
In this twisted world, I'm searching for a light
A guiding star, that shines through the darkest night
A beacon of hope, that leads me to the shore
Where I can find peace, and be forever more.
Category: Writing - in Blogs
I wear a smile, a fragile disguise
A mask that hides, the tears I've cried
The heavens twist, in a cruel design
A fate that's sealed, yet I'm left to redefine
In heavenly design, I'm lost in pain
A twist of fate, that drives me insane
The stars align, yet I'm still unsure
A celestial guide, that's hard to endure
I'm bent and broken, in a world so grand
A fragile soul, in a body so unplanned
The heavens whisper, "You're strong and free"
But I'm trapped in doubts, that haunt me relentlessly
I search for answers, in the darkest night
A glimmer of hope, that shines with all its might
But the twist of fate, it plays a cruel game
Leaving me shattered, with a heart that's tamed
In twisted threads, I'm woven with flaws
A fragile fabric, with scars that never fade
The heavens bend, in a mysterious spin
A divine irony, that I'm forced to give in
I'm a paradox, of strength and weakness combined
A human heart, that's constantly redefined
The twist of heaven's hand, a mysterious fate
A life that's unpredictable, with moments that create
I yearn for solace, in the chaos and strife
A peaceful haven, where I can be alive
But the heavens twist, in a celestial rhyme
A melody of pain, that echoes through my prime
In this twisted world, I'm searching for a light
A guiding star, that shines through the darkest night
A beacon of hope, that leads me to the shore
Where I can find peace, and be forever more.
Category: Writing - in Blogs
Bent in Heaven's Twist<br />
<br />
I wear a smile, a fragile disguise<br />
A mask that hides, the tears I've cried<br />
The heavens twist, in a cruel design<br />
A fate that's sealed, yet I'm left to redefine<br />
<br />
In heavenly design, I'm lost in pain<br />
A twist of fate, that drives me insane<br />
The stars align, yet I'm still unsure<br />
A celestial guide, that's hard to endure<br />
<br />
I'm bent and broken, in a world so grand<br />
A fragile soul, in a body so unplanned<br />
The heavens whisper, "You're strong and free"<br />
But I'm trapped in doubts, that haunt me relentlessly<br />
<br />
I search for answers, in the darkest night<br />
A glimmer of hope, that shines with all its might<br />
But the twist of fate, it plays a cruel game<br />
Leaving me shattered, with a heart that's tamed<br />
<br />
In twisted threads, I'm woven with flaws<br />
A fragile fabric, with scars that never fade<br />
The heavens bend, in a mysterious spin<br />
A divine irony, that I'm forced to give in<br />
<br />
I'm a paradox, of strength and weakness combined<br />
A human heart, that's constantly redefined<br />
The twist of heaven's hand, a mysterious fate<br />
A life that's unpredictable, with moments that create<br />
<br />
I yearn for solace, in the chaos and strife<br />
A peaceful haven, where I can be alive<br />
But the heavens twist, in a celestial rhyme<br />
A melody of pain, that echoes through my prime<br />
<br />
In this twisted world, I'm searching for a light<br />
A guiding star, that shines through the darkest night<br />
A beacon of hope, that leads me to the shore<br />
Where I can find peace, and be forever more.<br />
<br />
<span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Writing - in Blogs</span>
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Joshua Michael joshua
Struggling to keep up with endless customer questions? You’re not alone. Businesses are realizing that AI-powered chatbots are no longer just “nice-to-have” tools they’re essential for delivering fast, 24/7 customer support.
But here’s the real challenge: with so many chatbot platforms out there, how do you know which one fits your business?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 5 best AI chatbot builders in 2025. These tools are not only user-friendly but also designed to help businesses of all sizes automate conversations, save time, and increase customer satisfaction.
What Makes a Great AI Chatbot Builder?
Before diving into the list, let’s set some standards. A solid chatbot builder should offer:
Ease of use – No-code or low-code platforms are best for beginners.
AI capabilities – Natural Language Processing (NLP) for smarter conversations.
Integrations – Works seamlessly with CRMs, websites, or apps.
Scalability – Can grow with your business.
Analytics – Helps you measure performance and customer interactions.
If a chatbot builder ticks most of these boxes, it’s worth considering.
1. ManyChat – Best for Marketing Automation
manyChat is a go-to chatbot builder if you’re running an online store or want to automate conversations on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger and Instagram.
Key Features:
Visual drag-and-drop builder
Automated workflows for lead generation
Supports SMS, WhatsApp, and email campaigns
Integrates with Shopify and HubSpot
Best For: E-commerce stores and social media marketers who want to convert followers into paying customers.
2. Intercom – Best for Customer Support
Intercom is one of the most popular customer communication platforms, and its AI chatbot functionality is top-notch. According to TechCrunch, Intercom has been a pioneer in scaling customer support with conversational AI.
Key Features:
AI-powered resolution bot
Proactive customer engagement
Powerful integrations with Slack, Salesforce, and Zapier
Real-time analytics
Best For: SaaS companies and customer support teams needing advanced automation.
3. Tidio – Best for Small Businesses
If you’re just getting started and want something simple yet effective, Tidio is a fantastic option. It combines live chat with AI automation in one platform.
Key Features:
Easy to install on WordPress, Shopify, and Wix
AI bot trained to answer FAQs
Mobile app for on-the-go support
Affordable plans
Best For: Small businesses that want a budget-friendly AI chatbot solution.
4. Drift – Best for B2B Sales Conversations
Drift positions itself as a conversational marketing platform, and for good reason. It focuses on creating real-time, personalized chat experiences that drive sales.
Key Features:
AI bots qualify leads automatically
Custom playbooks for B2B sales
Integration with major CRMs like Salesforce and Marketo
Personalized chat based on visitor data
Best For: B2B businesses that rely heavily on lead generation and relationship building.
5. HubSpot Chatbot Builder – Best All-in-One CRM Integration
HubSpot offers a free chatbot builder inside its all-in-one CRM. This makes it incredibly useful for businesses already using HubSpot for marketing and sales.
Key Features:
No-code chatbot builder
Automated lead qualification
Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM
Free plan with premium upgrades
Best For: Businesses already in the HubSpot ecosystem who want a cost-effective chatbot solution.
Final Thoughts
The right AI chatbot builder depends on your business goals:
Use ManyChat if you’re focused on social media and e-commerce.
Choose Intercom for powerful customer support automation.
Try Tidio if you’re a small business on a budget.
Go with Drift for B2B lead generation.
Pick HubSpot for all-in-one CRM integration.
At the end of the day, the “best” chatbot is the one that fits your audience, budget, and growth strategy. Start small, experiment, and optimize as you go.
Have you tried any of these chatbot builders before? Share your experience I’d love to hear which one worked best for you!
Category: Technology - in Blogs
But here’s the real challenge: with so many chatbot platforms out there, how do you know which one fits your business?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 5 best AI chatbot builders in 2025. These tools are not only user-friendly but also designed to help businesses of all sizes automate conversations, save time, and increase customer satisfaction.
What Makes a Great AI Chatbot Builder?
Before diving into the list, let’s set some standards. A solid chatbot builder should offer:
Ease of use – No-code or low-code platforms are best for beginners.
AI capabilities – Natural Language Processing (NLP) for smarter conversations.
Integrations – Works seamlessly with CRMs, websites, or apps.
Scalability – Can grow with your business.
Analytics – Helps you measure performance and customer interactions.
If a chatbot builder ticks most of these boxes, it’s worth considering.
1. ManyChat – Best for Marketing Automation
manyChat is a go-to chatbot builder if you’re running an online store or want to automate conversations on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger and Instagram.
Key Features:
Visual drag-and-drop builder
Automated workflows for lead generation
Supports SMS, WhatsApp, and email campaigns
Integrates with Shopify and HubSpot
Best For: E-commerce stores and social media marketers who want to convert followers into paying customers.
2. Intercom – Best for Customer Support
Intercom is one of the most popular customer communication platforms, and its AI chatbot functionality is top-notch. According to TechCrunch, Intercom has been a pioneer in scaling customer support with conversational AI.
Key Features:
AI-powered resolution bot
Proactive customer engagement
Powerful integrations with Slack, Salesforce, and Zapier
Real-time analytics
Best For: SaaS companies and customer support teams needing advanced automation.
3. Tidio – Best for Small Businesses
If you’re just getting started and want something simple yet effective, Tidio is a fantastic option. It combines live chat with AI automation in one platform.
Key Features:
Easy to install on WordPress, Shopify, and Wix
AI bot trained to answer FAQs
Mobile app for on-the-go support
Affordable plans
Best For: Small businesses that want a budget-friendly AI chatbot solution.
4. Drift – Best for B2B Sales Conversations
Drift positions itself as a conversational marketing platform, and for good reason. It focuses on creating real-time, personalized chat experiences that drive sales.
Key Features:
AI bots qualify leads automatically
Custom playbooks for B2B sales
Integration with major CRMs like Salesforce and Marketo
Personalized chat based on visitor data
Best For: B2B businesses that rely heavily on lead generation and relationship building.
5. HubSpot Chatbot Builder – Best All-in-One CRM Integration
HubSpot offers a free chatbot builder inside its all-in-one CRM. This makes it incredibly useful for businesses already using HubSpot for marketing and sales.
Key Features:
No-code chatbot builder
Automated lead qualification
Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM
Free plan with premium upgrades
Best For: Businesses already in the HubSpot ecosystem who want a cost-effective chatbot solution.
Final Thoughts
The right AI chatbot builder depends on your business goals:
Use ManyChat if you’re focused on social media and e-commerce.
Choose Intercom for powerful customer support automation.
Try Tidio if you’re a small business on a budget.
Go with Drift for B2B lead generation.
Pick HubSpot for all-in-one CRM integration.
At the end of the day, the “best” chatbot is the one that fits your audience, budget, and growth strategy. Start small, experiment, and optimize as you go.
Have you tried any of these chatbot builders before? Share your experience I’d love to hear which one worked best for you!
Category: Technology - in Blogs
Struggling to keep up with endless customer questions? You’re not alone. Businesses are realizing that AI-powered chatbots are no longer just “nice-to-have” tools they’re essential for delivering fast, 24/7 customer support.<br />
<br />
But here’s the real challenge: with so many chatbot platforms out there, how do you know which one fits your business?<br />
<br />
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 5 best AI chatbot builders in 2025. These tools are not only user-friendly but also designed to help businesses of all sizes automate conversations, save time, and increase customer satisfaction.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What Makes a Great AI Chatbot Builder?<br />
Before diving into the list, let’s set some standards. A solid chatbot builder should offer:<br />
<br />
Ease of use – No-code or low-code platforms are best for beginners.<br />
AI capabilities – Natural Language Processing (NLP) for smarter conversations.<br />
Integrations – Works seamlessly with CRMs, websites, or apps.<br />
Scalability – Can grow with your business.<br />
Analytics – Helps you measure performance and customer interactions.<br />
<br />
If a chatbot builder ticks most of these boxes, it’s worth considering.<br />
<br />
1. ManyChat – Best for Marketing Automation<br />
manyChat is a go-to chatbot builder if you’re running an online store or want to automate conversations on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger and Instagram.<br />
<br />
Key Features:<br />
<br />
Visual drag-and-drop builder<br />
Automated workflows for lead generation<br />
Supports SMS, WhatsApp, and email campaigns<br />
Integrates with Shopify and HubSpot<br />
<br />
Best For: E-commerce stores and social media marketers who want to convert followers into paying customers.<br />
<br />
2. Intercom – Best for Customer Support<br />
Intercom is one of the most popular customer communication platforms, and its AI chatbot functionality is top-notch. According to TechCrunch, Intercom has been a pioneer in scaling customer support with conversational AI.<br />
<br />
Key Features:<br />
<br />
AI-powered resolution bot<br />
Proactive customer engagement<br />
Powerful integrations with Slack, Salesforce, and Zapier<br />
Real-time analytics<br />
<br />
Best For: SaaS companies and customer support teams needing advanced automation.<br />
<br />
3. Tidio – Best for Small Businesses<br />
If you’re just getting started and want something simple yet effective, Tidio is a fantastic option. It combines live chat with AI automation in one platform.<br />
<br />
Key Features:<br />
<br />
Easy to install on WordPress, Shopify, and Wix<br />
AI bot trained to answer FAQs<br />
Mobile app for on-the-go support<br />
Affordable plans<br />
<br />
Best For: Small businesses that want a budget-friendly AI chatbot solution.<br />
<br />
4. Drift – Best for B2B Sales Conversations<br />
Drift positions itself as a conversational marketing platform, and for good reason. It focuses on creating real-time, personalized chat experiences that drive sales.<br />
<br />
Key Features:<br />
<br />
AI bots qualify leads automatically<br />
Custom playbooks for B2B sales<br />
Integration with major CRMs like Salesforce and Marketo<br />
Personalized chat based on visitor data<br />
<br />
Best For: B2B businesses that rely heavily on lead generation and relationship building.<br />
<br />
5. HubSpot Chatbot Builder – Best All-in-One CRM Integration<br />
HubSpot offers a free chatbot builder inside its all-in-one CRM. This makes it incredibly useful for businesses already using HubSpot for marketing and sales.<br />
<br />
Key Features:<br />
<br />
No-code chatbot builder<br />
Automated lead qualification<br />
Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM<br />
Free plan with premium upgrades<br />
<br />
Best For: Businesses already in the HubSpot ecosystem who want a cost-effective chatbot solution.<br />
<br />
Final Thoughts<br />
The right AI chatbot builder depends on your business goals:<br />
<br />
Use ManyChat if you’re focused on social media and e-commerce.<br />
Choose Intercom for powerful customer support automation.<br />
Try Tidio if you’re a small business on a budget.<br />
Go with Drift for B2B lead generation.<br />
Pick HubSpot for all-in-one CRM integration.<br />
<br />
At the end of the day, the “best” chatbot is the one that fits your audience, budget, and growth strategy. Start small, experiment, and optimize as you go.<br />
<br />
Have you tried any of these chatbot builders before? Share your experience I’d love to hear which one worked best for you!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Technology - in Blogs</span>
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Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
(NewsUSA) - Sometimes we're so caught up in all the pro sports stars whose lives have been wrecked by misusing prescription painkillers that we forget the problem extends down to the amateur level.
And, yes, that does mean college and even high-school sports.
At least one study put the number of college student athletes who've used prescription medications to enhance their performance at as high as 53.3 percent. And another recent study on high school athletes, published online in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, reported that 12 percent of male seniors and 8 percent of female seniors admitted to abusing painkillers.
To former ESPN.com columnist Gregg Easterbrook -- who wrote about painkillers in his book "The King of Sports: Football's Impact on America -- it's no surprise that the largest percentage of those young abusers play football.
"Youth and high-school players see an example that appears to be of men so tough, they laugh at pain," he wrote. "The message sent is that young players should use their own bodies recklessly."
So what's a concerned parent to do?
Well, if your child is experiencing neuro-musculoskeletal-related pain from playing sports-- spinal pain, say, from too many tackles or strained soccer kicks --first know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last March began urging physicians to avoid prescribing opioids for chronic pain in response to a record high 28,647 deaths involving the highly addictive drugs in 2014.
Know, too, that the most popular non-pharmacologic alternative to routine care is drug-free chiropractic care.
"Doctors of chiropractic play a key role in sports health care by providing hands-on care that help improve range of motion, flexibility, muscle strength, and other key performance factors," notes the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress' Sherry McAllister.
Ref: Exercise - in Blogs
And, yes, that does mean college and even high-school sports.
At least one study put the number of college student athletes who've used prescription medications to enhance their performance at as high as 53.3 percent. And another recent study on high school athletes, published online in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, reported that 12 percent of male seniors and 8 percent of female seniors admitted to abusing painkillers.
To former ESPN.com columnist Gregg Easterbrook -- who wrote about painkillers in his book "The King of Sports: Football's Impact on America -- it's no surprise that the largest percentage of those young abusers play football.
"Youth and high-school players see an example that appears to be of men so tough, they laugh at pain," he wrote. "The message sent is that young players should use their own bodies recklessly."
So what's a concerned parent to do?
Well, if your child is experiencing neuro-musculoskeletal-related pain from playing sports-- spinal pain, say, from too many tackles or strained soccer kicks --first know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last March began urging physicians to avoid prescribing opioids for chronic pain in response to a record high 28,647 deaths involving the highly addictive drugs in 2014.
Know, too, that the most popular non-pharmacologic alternative to routine care is drug-free chiropractic care.
"Doctors of chiropractic play a key role in sports health care by providing hands-on care that help improve range of motion, flexibility, muscle strength, and other key performance factors," notes the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress' Sherry McAllister.
Ref: Exercise - in Blogs
(NewsUSA) - Sometimes we're so caught up in all the pro sports stars whose lives have been wrecked by misusing prescription painkillers that we forget the problem extends down to the amateur level.<br />
<br />
And, yes, that does mean college and even high-school sports.<br />
<br />
At least one study put the number of college student athletes who've used prescription medications to enhance their performance at as high as 53.3 percent. And another recent study on high school athletes, published online in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, reported that 12 percent of male seniors and 8 percent of female seniors admitted to abusing painkillers.<br />
<br />
To former ESPN.com columnist Gregg Easterbrook -- who wrote about painkillers in his book "The King of Sports: Football's Impact on America -- it's no surprise that the largest percentage of those young abusers play football.<br />
<br />
"Youth and high-school players see an example that appears to be of men so tough, they laugh at pain," he wrote. "The message sent is that young players should use their own bodies recklessly."<br />
<br />
So what's a concerned parent to do?<br />
<br />
Well, if your child is experiencing neuro-musculoskeletal-related pain from playing sports-- spinal pain, say, from too many tackles or strained soccer kicks --first know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last March began urging physicians to avoid prescribing opioids for chronic pain in response to a record high 28,647 deaths involving the highly addictive drugs in 2014.<br />
<br />
Know, too, that the most popular non-pharmacologic alternative to routine care is drug-free chiropractic care.<br />
<br />
"Doctors of chiropractic play a key role in sports health care by providing hands-on care that help improve range of motion, flexibility, muscle strength, and other key performance factors," notes the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress' Sherry McAllister.<br />
<br />
Ref: Exercise - in Blogs
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Aric Feeney Aric_Feeney
Category: Photography - in Blogs
<br />
<br />
<span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Photography - in Blogs</span>
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Tiya Sowell tiya1969
Morning with the Master
Hey sisters and brothers! Welcome to my weekly devotional where we can share prayers, scriptures and reflection.
When reading this morning, I came across the story of Athaliah, the first female crowned king who, when her husband and sons died, killed off the rest of her family line (her grandkids) so that she would be the only person left in her lineage and could rule until her death. I don't know about you, but there is nothing more important than my family--and the grandkids are extra special and precious to my very sight! To have that much greed and desire to have not only everyone answer to you, but also be the sole decision maker is completely out of bounds, and extremely ambitious.
As a Christian woman, I don't want to be the only face that people seek for approval, answers and permission. That is too much weight for any one person to bear and its just unnatural. Who can you love? Who can love you?
The divine God created the world and everything in it. Can any man or woman follow that? Not one! Can any man or woman have the right answer to EVERY question or concern? Not one! Can any man or woman create a permanent route for peace and understanding? Not one!
There is a reason we cannot see or touch God. Because we might do like Athaliah and try to eliminate the almighty because of greed and idolatry. He oversees and has the end say to everything we do. That is a safety I can count on if I cannot rely on anything else in this world.
Let me know your thoughts. Let's talk about it.
Category: Religion - in Blogs
Hey sisters and brothers! Welcome to my weekly devotional where we can share prayers, scriptures and reflection.
When reading this morning, I came across the story of Athaliah, the first female crowned king who, when her husband and sons died, killed off the rest of her family line (her grandkids) so that she would be the only person left in her lineage and could rule until her death. I don't know about you, but there is nothing more important than my family--and the grandkids are extra special and precious to my very sight! To have that much greed and desire to have not only everyone answer to you, but also be the sole decision maker is completely out of bounds, and extremely ambitious.
As a Christian woman, I don't want to be the only face that people seek for approval, answers and permission. That is too much weight for any one person to bear and its just unnatural. Who can you love? Who can love you?
The divine God created the world and everything in it. Can any man or woman follow that? Not one! Can any man or woman have the right answer to EVERY question or concern? Not one! Can any man or woman create a permanent route for peace and understanding? Not one!
There is a reason we cannot see or touch God. Because we might do like Athaliah and try to eliminate the almighty because of greed and idolatry. He oversees and has the end say to everything we do. That is a safety I can count on if I cannot rely on anything else in this world.
Let me know your thoughts. Let's talk about it.
Category: Religion - in Blogs
Morning with the Master<br />
<br />
Hey sisters and brothers! Welcome to my weekly devotional where we can share prayers, scriptures and reflection. <br />
<br />
When reading this morning, I came across the story of Athaliah, the first female crowned king who, when her husband and sons died, killed off the rest of her family line (her grandkids) so that she would be the only person left in her lineage and could rule until her death. I don't know about you, but there is nothing more important than my family--and the grandkids are extra special and precious to my very sight! To have that much greed and desire to have not only everyone answer to you, but also be the sole decision maker is completely out of bounds, and extremely ambitious. <br />
<br />
As a Christian woman, I don't want to be the only face that people seek for approval, answers and permission. That is too much weight for any one person to bear and its just unnatural. Who can you love? Who can love you? <br />
<br />
The divine God created the world and everything in it. Can any man or woman follow that? Not one! Can any man or woman have the right answer to EVERY question or concern? Not one! Can any man or woman create a permanent route for peace and understanding? Not one!<br />
<br />
There is a reason we cannot see or touch God. Because we might do like Athaliah and try to eliminate the almighty because of greed and idolatry. He oversees and has the end say to everything we do. That is a safety I can count on if I cannot rely on anything else in this world.<br />
<br />
Let me know your thoughts. Let's talk about it.<br />
<br />
<span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Religion - in Blogs</span>
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Wendy Minore wendy_minore04
Just me writing my little story! It's a coming of age story about a girl graduating from high school and not being sure where to go from there. Her family and friends help her out with a little bit of chaos and a lot of luck!
“T! Can I borrow your notes for French?” Hailey fluttered her eyelashes at me and gave me her most winning smile, knowing that my notes were at least twenty times better than hers. I rolled my eyes and reached for my bag. I was ready for the French exam later, it was on my study schedule to be way beyond prepared. I started studying months ago so that I could get all of my sleeping in. Of course, Hailey almost never sleeps.
“Oh my gosh, girlie hand them over,” speaking of not sleeping, Evelyn had just walked over and was holding her hand out to me. I’m not sure how Evelyn ever slept, since she ran with me every morning at 5 am and she was on every sports team that she could fit into her schedule, plus some advanced classes.
“Hey, hey, no! I asked first!” Hailey gave a pouty look, her lip out and her eyes big. With her tiny frame and overly stunning blue eyes she looked adorable, but I knew that Evelyn probably needed the notes more. She struggled with French, and Hailey had had me and Cardan there to help her all year. Evelyn and I had only become friends a couple of months ago, despite having run the same route together everyday for the past four years.
I shoot Hailey a sympathetic smile and pull out my red notebook with Iron Man stickers coating it and hand it to Evelyn.
“Eek! You’re the best!” She planted a kiss on my cheek, which earned me a jokingly jealous look from Hails. Honestly, I couldn’t blame her either. With her perfectly clear brown skin and her hair always done up in some sort of cute braids, Evelyn was one of the prettiest girls in our grade. Of course, she was also a sweetheart and therefore sat down on the couch next to Hailey so that they could review together. Hailey started chattering with Evelyn about something or another as I closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep.
“Pencils down!” Madame Saker’s yell startled me awake and I heard a small, stifled chuckle from Cardan, who was sitting next to me. I wiped the little bit of drool off of my face and shot him a quick glare, but by the time I looked over, he was already staring at his exam again, his lower lip firmly stuck between his teeth. Honestly, at this point it’s a miracle that he still has lips with how often he gnaws on those things. We start passing our tests forward and I toss my pencil onto his desk to get his attention. When Cardan looks over at me, his brow is furrowed and he looks moments from a panic attack. I throw him a thumbs up and a questioning face and he gives a despairing shrug. Cardan is actually one of the smartest kids in our grade, but he never believes he did well on literally anything. I know that the five seconds between our tests getting to her and Madame dismissing us could be vital to Cardan’s mental state, so I reach over and grab his hand. It’s shaking, but he intertwines his fingers with mine and takes a breath deep enough that people across the world could have seen it. He squeezes my hand right as Madame calls that we can leave. The bell won’t ring today because it “disturbs the mind of a studying student”. Basically, the headmaster thinks that anyone who is currently studying and not in an exam will be startled really badly by the bell, even though we are all expecting it.
Cardan releases my hand with a small smile and grabs his bag. No one else in the room has theirs except for Hailey who is already pulling out her dance notebook. I grab my pencil from Cardan’s desk and tuck it into my ponytail as I walk over to Hails, Cardan trailing behind me.
“So, T, how did you do? Cause I think that I messed up the conjugation of être on the fifth question, but it was a fill in the blank, and if that’s all I messed up, we’re totally fine… Do you think that I could run tendus twice today without some of the younger kids getting annoyed? It really helps their turnout, but they also complain sometimes…” Her tongue appears between her teeth as she scribbles in her notebook, completely lost to the rest of us now. Cardan and I exchange an eye roll over her head. Surprisingly easy, considering that she stopped growing in like fourth grade at 4’ 10”.
“Thanks for the notes Tiana, they really helped!” Evelyn bumps my shoulder lightly as she walks past and I wave goodbye to her before placing a gentle hand on Hailey’s back and scooping up her bag, steering her in the direction of the common room. She continues mumbling under her breath as Cardan pulls out a book and follows behind us, already lost to the world as well.
By the time we reach the common room, I’ve had to steer the two of them to avoid five different people rushing around and at least three people who tried to talk to them about the exams we’ve taken. Of course, neither of them know this, and both collapse on a couch to continue what they were doing, giving me the room to climb between them and take a nap with my head on Cardan’s lap and feet on Hailey’s.
It’s Hailey who wakes me up about an hour later in order to remind me that we need to change for the parties later tonight. Since we’re seniors, we kind of get a free pass to go to every single end-of-year party, and Hailey is also friends with everyone, so she has people to see at all of them. Cardan takes this as his cue to leave, and kisses both of us on the forehead before heading upstairs to his room. He’s probably packing up his cat’s supplies for the trip home tomorrow. I’ll have to leave hails at some point tonight to check up on him before he gets too in his head about going home.
“So, what are we thinking? I know that the soccer girls always wear their jerseys, but like cropped or bedazzled or whatever you guys do to them, but I don’t think that you can wear that to every party… Or maybe we could stop back here and change between that and other parties. Well, I wouldn’t want people at the parties to notice you changed, since that might be a little weird. Oh! Can you do my hair for tonight? I can’t just wear it in a ballet bun like usual, since that is what I do all the time. Oh my gosh! Did I send out the message to remind the kids that classes are canceled tonight?” Hailey continued rambling, thankfully remembering that she did actually send out the reminder, several of them actually, as I steered her to our bedroom. She flopped back on my bed, still talking, as I slipped out of my leggings and tank top and into a pair of ripped skinny jeans with my purple and red jersey that Hailey had stitched into a crop top and bedazzled the number 8 on the back. She was still talking as I shoved my clothes in my laundry hamper, so I grabbed one of her decorative pillows that was on the floor and threw it at her.
“What?” Hails sat up, and finally looked at me, a cute blush coloring her cheeks as she realized I was already changed. “Are you gonna take that pencil out for the party?” That was her only verbal acknowledgement of my clothes change as she headed over to her closet and grabbed a cute purple dress and white ballet slippers, slipping in for five seconds before coming out already changed.
“Hair?” She threw me another dazzling smile before plopping back on my bed. I grabbed my hairbrush from its place on the dresser and climbed on the bed behind her, listening to her ramble about everyone’s summer plans and pretending that it was okay that I had absolutely no clue what I was planning to do once summer ended. I had no college plans, no job plans, nothing prepared for my life.
“Done!” I finally said, cutting Hailey off a little, but she barely noticed as she pranced to the mirror to look at her wraparound braid.
“You’re an angel! Thank you!” Hails ran back and kissed my cheek before grabbing earrings off of the mess on her dresser and sliding them in as I pulled out my phone. I had a text from Cardan asking if I was done with the book he lent me and double checking the dates I was staying with him, a text from Evelyn that was just a picture of her jersey that she had cut holes into the side of and made slimmer around the waist to fit her, and a few texts in the soccer group chat about who was bringing what. I ignored the group chat, sent Evelyn a thumbs up and a selfie and shot a quick reassuring text (or seven) to Cardan before tossing my phone down and shrieking when I found Hailey standing an inch from my face.
“Ready?”
“You’re a pain,” I mumbled as I stood up, reaching for my phone again and tucking it in my back pocket. “Let’s go.”
“YAY!” Hailey pranced from the room, leading me to the first party of the end of my high school life.
“T! Can I borrow your notes for French?” Hailey fluttered her eyelashes at me and gave me her most winning smile, knowing that my notes were at least twenty times better than hers. I rolled my eyes and reached for my bag. I was ready for the French exam later, it was on my study schedule to be way beyond prepared. I started studying months ago so that I could get all of my sleeping in. Of course, Hailey almost never sleeps.
“Oh my gosh, girlie hand them over,” speaking of not sleeping, Evelyn had just walked over and was holding her hand out to me. I’m not sure how Evelyn ever slept, since she ran with me every morning at 5 am and she was on every sports team that she could fit into her schedule, plus some advanced classes.
“Hey, hey, no! I asked first!” Hailey gave a pouty look, her lip out and her eyes big. With her tiny frame and overly stunning blue eyes she looked adorable, but I knew that Evelyn probably needed the notes more. She struggled with French, and Hailey had had me and Cardan there to help her all year. Evelyn and I had only become friends a couple of months ago, despite having run the same route together everyday for the past four years.
I shoot Hailey a sympathetic smile and pull out my red notebook with Iron Man stickers coating it and hand it to Evelyn.
“Eek! You’re the best!” She planted a kiss on my cheek, which earned me a jokingly jealous look from Hails. Honestly, I couldn’t blame her either. With her perfectly clear brown skin and her hair always done up in some sort of cute braids, Evelyn was one of the prettiest girls in our grade. Of course, she was also a sweetheart and therefore sat down on the couch next to Hailey so that they could review together. Hailey started chattering with Evelyn about something or another as I closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep.
“Pencils down!” Madame Saker’s yell startled me awake and I heard a small, stifled chuckle from Cardan, who was sitting next to me. I wiped the little bit of drool off of my face and shot him a quick glare, but by the time I looked over, he was already staring at his exam again, his lower lip firmly stuck between his teeth. Honestly, at this point it’s a miracle that he still has lips with how often he gnaws on those things. We start passing our tests forward and I toss my pencil onto his desk to get his attention. When Cardan looks over at me, his brow is furrowed and he looks moments from a panic attack. I throw him a thumbs up and a questioning face and he gives a despairing shrug. Cardan is actually one of the smartest kids in our grade, but he never believes he did well on literally anything. I know that the five seconds between our tests getting to her and Madame dismissing us could be vital to Cardan’s mental state, so I reach over and grab his hand. It’s shaking, but he intertwines his fingers with mine and takes a breath deep enough that people across the world could have seen it. He squeezes my hand right as Madame calls that we can leave. The bell won’t ring today because it “disturbs the mind of a studying student”. Basically, the headmaster thinks that anyone who is currently studying and not in an exam will be startled really badly by the bell, even though we are all expecting it.
Cardan releases my hand with a small smile and grabs his bag. No one else in the room has theirs except for Hailey who is already pulling out her dance notebook. I grab my pencil from Cardan’s desk and tuck it into my ponytail as I walk over to Hails, Cardan trailing behind me.
“So, T, how did you do? Cause I think that I messed up the conjugation of être on the fifth question, but it was a fill in the blank, and if that’s all I messed up, we’re totally fine… Do you think that I could run tendus twice today without some of the younger kids getting annoyed? It really helps their turnout, but they also complain sometimes…” Her tongue appears between her teeth as she scribbles in her notebook, completely lost to the rest of us now. Cardan and I exchange an eye roll over her head. Surprisingly easy, considering that she stopped growing in like fourth grade at 4’ 10”.
“Thanks for the notes Tiana, they really helped!” Evelyn bumps my shoulder lightly as she walks past and I wave goodbye to her before placing a gentle hand on Hailey’s back and scooping up her bag, steering her in the direction of the common room. She continues mumbling under her breath as Cardan pulls out a book and follows behind us, already lost to the world as well.
By the time we reach the common room, I’ve had to steer the two of them to avoid five different people rushing around and at least three people who tried to talk to them about the exams we’ve taken. Of course, neither of them know this, and both collapse on a couch to continue what they were doing, giving me the room to climb between them and take a nap with my head on Cardan’s lap and feet on Hailey’s.
It’s Hailey who wakes me up about an hour later in order to remind me that we need to change for the parties later tonight. Since we’re seniors, we kind of get a free pass to go to every single end-of-year party, and Hailey is also friends with everyone, so she has people to see at all of them. Cardan takes this as his cue to leave, and kisses both of us on the forehead before heading upstairs to his room. He’s probably packing up his cat’s supplies for the trip home tomorrow. I’ll have to leave hails at some point tonight to check up on him before he gets too in his head about going home.
“So, what are we thinking? I know that the soccer girls always wear their jerseys, but like cropped or bedazzled or whatever you guys do to them, but I don’t think that you can wear that to every party… Or maybe we could stop back here and change between that and other parties. Well, I wouldn’t want people at the parties to notice you changed, since that might be a little weird. Oh! Can you do my hair for tonight? I can’t just wear it in a ballet bun like usual, since that is what I do all the time. Oh my gosh! Did I send out the message to remind the kids that classes are canceled tonight?” Hailey continued rambling, thankfully remembering that she did actually send out the reminder, several of them actually, as I steered her to our bedroom. She flopped back on my bed, still talking, as I slipped out of my leggings and tank top and into a pair of ripped skinny jeans with my purple and red jersey that Hailey had stitched into a crop top and bedazzled the number 8 on the back. She was still talking as I shoved my clothes in my laundry hamper, so I grabbed one of her decorative pillows that was on the floor and threw it at her.
“What?” Hails sat up, and finally looked at me, a cute blush coloring her cheeks as she realized I was already changed. “Are you gonna take that pencil out for the party?” That was her only verbal acknowledgement of my clothes change as she headed over to her closet and grabbed a cute purple dress and white ballet slippers, slipping in for five seconds before coming out already changed.
“Hair?” She threw me another dazzling smile before plopping back on my bed. I grabbed my hairbrush from its place on the dresser and climbed on the bed behind her, listening to her ramble about everyone’s summer plans and pretending that it was okay that I had absolutely no clue what I was planning to do once summer ended. I had no college plans, no job plans, nothing prepared for my life.
“Done!” I finally said, cutting Hailey off a little, but she barely noticed as she pranced to the mirror to look at her wraparound braid.
“You’re an angel! Thank you!” Hails ran back and kissed my cheek before grabbing earrings off of the mess on her dresser and sliding them in as I pulled out my phone. I had a text from Cardan asking if I was done with the book he lent me and double checking the dates I was staying with him, a text from Evelyn that was just a picture of her jersey that she had cut holes into the side of and made slimmer around the waist to fit her, and a few texts in the soccer group chat about who was bringing what. I ignored the group chat, sent Evelyn a thumbs up and a selfie and shot a quick reassuring text (or seven) to Cardan before tossing my phone down and shrieking when I found Hailey standing an inch from my face.
“Ready?”
“You’re a pain,” I mumbled as I stood up, reaching for my phone again and tucking it in my back pocket. “Let’s go.”
“YAY!” Hailey pranced from the room, leading me to the first party of the end of my high school life.
Just me writing my little story! It's a coming of age story about a girl graduating from high school and not being sure where to go from there. Her family and friends help her out with a little bit of chaos and a lot of luck! <br /><br />“T! Can I borrow your notes for French?” Hailey fluttered her eyelashes at me and gave me her most winning smile, knowing that my notes were at least twenty times better than hers. I rolled my eyes and reached for my bag. I was ready for the French exam later, it was on my study schedule to be way beyond prepared. I started studying months ago so that I could get all of my sleeping in. Of course, Hailey almost never sleeps. <br />“Oh my gosh, girlie hand them over,” speaking of not sleeping, Evelyn had just walked over and was holding her hand out to me. I’m not sure how Evelyn ever slept, since she ran with me every morning at 5 am and she was on every sports team that she could fit into her schedule, plus some advanced classes. <br />“Hey, hey, no! I asked first!” Hailey gave a pouty look, her lip out and her eyes big. With her tiny frame and overly stunning blue eyes she looked adorable, but I knew that Evelyn probably needed the notes more. She struggled with French, and Hailey had had me and Cardan there to help her all year. Evelyn and I had only become friends a couple of months ago, despite having run the same route together everyday for the past four years. <br />I shoot Hailey a sympathetic smile and pull out my red notebook with Iron Man stickers coating it and hand it to Evelyn.<br />“Eek! You’re the best!” She planted a kiss on my cheek, which earned me a jokingly jealous look from Hails. Honestly, I couldn’t blame her either. With her perfectly clear brown skin and her hair always done up in some sort of cute braids, Evelyn was one of the prettiest girls in our grade. Of course, she was also a sweetheart and therefore sat down on the couch next to Hailey so that they could review together. Hailey started chattering with Evelyn about something or another as I closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep. <br /><br />“Pencils down!” Madame Saker’s yell startled me awake and I heard a small, stifled chuckle from Cardan, who was sitting next to me. I wiped the little bit of drool off of my face and shot him a quick glare, but by the time I looked over, he was already staring at his exam again, his lower lip firmly stuck between his teeth. Honestly, at this point it’s a miracle that he still has lips with how often he gnaws on those things. We start passing our tests forward and I toss my pencil onto his desk to get his attention. When Cardan looks over at me, his brow is furrowed and he looks moments from a panic attack. I throw him a thumbs up and a questioning face and he gives a despairing shrug. Cardan is actually one of the smartest kids in our grade, but he never believes he did well on literally anything. I know that the five seconds between our tests getting to her and Madame dismissing us could be vital to Cardan’s mental state, so I reach over and grab his hand. It’s shaking, but he intertwines his fingers with mine and takes a breath deep enough that people across the world could have seen it. He squeezes my hand right as Madame calls that we can leave. The bell won’t ring today because it “disturbs the mind of a studying student”. Basically, the headmaster thinks that anyone who is currently studying and not in an exam will be startled really badly by the bell, even though we are all expecting it. <br />Cardan releases my hand with a small smile and grabs his bag. No one else in the room has theirs except for Hailey who is already pulling out her dance notebook. I grab my pencil from Cardan’s desk and tuck it into my ponytail as I walk over to Hails, Cardan trailing behind me. <br />“So, T, how did you do? Cause I think that I messed up the conjugation of être on the fifth question, but it was a fill in the blank, and if that’s all I messed up, we’re totally fine… Do you think that I could run tendus twice today without some of the younger kids getting annoyed? It really helps their turnout, but they also complain sometimes…” Her tongue appears between her teeth as she scribbles in her notebook, completely lost to the rest of us now. Cardan and I exchange an eye roll over her head. Surprisingly easy, considering that she stopped growing in like fourth grade at 4’ 10”. <br />“Thanks for the notes Tiana, they really helped!” Evelyn bumps my shoulder lightly as she walks past and I wave goodbye to her before placing a gentle hand on Hailey’s back and scooping up her bag, steering her in the direction of the common room. She continues mumbling under her breath as Cardan pulls out a book and follows behind us, already lost to the world as well. <br />By the time we reach the common room, I’ve had to steer the two of them to avoid five different people rushing around and at least three people who tried to talk to them about the exams we’ve taken. Of course, neither of them know this, and both collapse on a couch to continue what they were doing, giving me the room to climb between them and take a nap with my head on Cardan’s lap and feet on Hailey’s. <br /><br />It’s Hailey who wakes me up about an hour later in order to remind me that we need to change for the parties later tonight. Since we’re seniors, we kind of get a free pass to go to every single end-of-year party, and Hailey is also friends with everyone, so she has people to see at all of them. Cardan takes this as his cue to leave, and kisses both of us on the forehead before heading upstairs to his room. He’s probably packing up his cat’s supplies for the trip home tomorrow. I’ll have to leave hails at some point tonight to check up on him before he gets too in his head about going home. <br />“So, what are we thinking? I know that the soccer girls always wear their jerseys, but like cropped or bedazzled or whatever you guys do to them, but I don’t think that you can wear that to every party… Or maybe we could stop back here and change between that and other parties. Well, I wouldn’t want people at the parties to notice you changed, since that might be a little weird. Oh! Can you do my hair for tonight? I can’t just wear it in a ballet bun like usual, since that is what I do all the time. Oh my gosh! Did I send out the message to remind the kids that classes are canceled tonight?” Hailey continued rambling, thankfully remembering that she did actually send out the reminder, several of them actually, as I steered her to our bedroom. She flopped back on my bed, still talking, as I slipped out of my leggings and tank top and into a pair of ripped skinny jeans with my purple and red jersey that Hailey had stitched into a crop top and bedazzled the number 8 on the back. She was still talking as I shoved my clothes in my laundry hamper, so I grabbed one of her decorative pillows that was on the floor and threw it at her. <br />“What?” Hails sat up, and finally looked at me, a cute blush coloring her cheeks as she realized I was already changed. “Are you gonna take that pencil out for the party?” That was her only verbal acknowledgement of my clothes change as she headed over to her closet and grabbed a cute purple dress and white ballet slippers, slipping in for five seconds before coming out already changed. <br />“Hair?” She threw me another dazzling smile before plopping back on my bed. I grabbed my hairbrush from its place on the dresser and climbed on the bed behind her, listening to her ramble about everyone’s summer plans and pretending that it was okay that I had absolutely no clue what I was planning to do once summer ended. I had no college plans, no job plans, nothing prepared for my life. <br />“Done!” I finally said, cutting Hailey off a little, but she barely noticed as she pranced to the mirror to look at her wraparound braid. <br />“You’re an angel! Thank you!” Hails ran back and kissed my cheek before grabbing earrings off of the mess on her dresser and sliding them in as I pulled out my phone. I had a text from Cardan asking if I was done with the book he lent me and double checking the dates I was staying with him, a text from Evelyn that was just a picture of her jersey that she had cut holes into the side of and made slimmer around the waist to fit her, and a few texts in the soccer group chat about who was bringing what. I ignored the group chat, sent Evelyn a thumbs up and a selfie and shot a quick reassuring text (or seven) to Cardan before tossing my phone down and shrieking when I found Hailey standing an inch from my face. <br />“Ready?”<br />“You’re a pain,” I mumbled as I stood up, reaching for my phone again and tucking it in my back pocket. “Let’s go.”<br />“YAY!” Hailey pranced from the room, leading me to the first party of the end of my high school life.
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