Latest news with #Confidence
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Bella Phillips, with Bunny written on her arm, helps Yorkville hop past Waubonsie Valley. ‘It's like my alter ego.'
Word up, Foxes. It's playoff time for senior shortstop Bella Phillips and her Yorkville teammates, and that means sporting their very own word or phrase of the day on their forearm for game day. It's a practice that can help ease the tension in one-loss-and-you're-done games. It can inspire, remind or simply be fun. 'We very much have a family chemistry and we all buy into the season and we work really hard and push each other,' said Phillips, described by Foxes coach Jory Regnier as a natural leader who plays a key role in building her team's culture. Phillips was among three key contributors bearing apropos messages in a 10-0 five-inning win Tuesday over Waubonsie Valley in a Class 4A Yorkville Regional semifinal — Phillips with 'Bunny,' junior catcher Kayla Kersting with 'Beast mode' and junior pitcher Ellie Fox with 'Confidence.' Fourth-seeded Yorkville (23-12) advances to a 4:30 p.m. Friday regional final against the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between fifth-seeded Plainfield East and 12th-seeded Naperville North. Phillips, meanwhile, got Yorkville rolling against 13th-seeded Waubonsie Valley (9-20) with an RBI single to highlight a three-run first inning. She then sliced a liner toward the right field line and legged out an RBI triple in the third. She celebrated with a rabbit-like hop at the third base bag to the delight of teammates in the nearby dugout. ''Bunny' is from softball,' said Phillips, who's also a starting guard in basketball. 'It's like my alter ego. I have like a funny (high-pitched) voice that goes with it, keeping like a positive mindset and cheering on the team.' Phillips isn't sure how that started, but after one of the assistant coaches heard Phillips doing the voice, Kersting said it became like a running joke from there that has helped keep the team loose. 'She's so funny — she's our comic,' said Kersting, the team's power-hitting leadoff hitter. Kersting hit three deep outfield drives into the wind that might have gone out on a calm day, running out two for triples. She was robbed by sophomore center fielder Dezirae Kelly with an outstanding sliding catch at the fence. 'Kayla brings the big hits for us for sure,' said Phillips, a defensive standout who has held up her end at the plate by hitting .337 with three doubles, four triples and 15 RBIs. Kersting, who leads the team with a gaudy .598 average to go with 12 triples, 10 homers and 38 RBIs, didn't mind having to work for her hits Tuesday. 'I like running the bases,' Kersting said. 'It's pretty easy to get triples here if you hit it in the gap, with the eight-foot fence all the way around. You really have to hit it to get it out.' Fox, a hard-throwing junior right-hander, pitched with confidence for the win, striking out six and giving up only three hits and a walk in her four innings. 'She did a great job,' Regnier said of Fox. 'Came in and was lights out.' Freshman righty Bella Rosauer struck out two in the fifth inning to get some playoff experience. This postseason run will be it for Phillips and her athletic career, however. She plans to attend Iowa State and major in marketing. 'I think she's had a phenomenal year,' Regnier said of Phillips. 'She just really has put it all out there. She's that person that helps get everything together and organizes, makes sure things get done the way they're supposed to get done. 'She has high standards and is part of a senior group that's big on our culture.' Over the last six seasons, it has helped Regnier's Foxes win 75% of their games by compiling a 155-51 record. 'Bella will do anything for the team,' Regnier said. 'She even went behind the plate last year when Kayla was hurt. She didn't love it, but she'd do it tomorrow if we asked and do her best. 'She's kind of the glue.'
Nikkei Asia
20-05-2025
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
AI startups reshape legal services in South Korea and Japan
SEOUL/TOKYO -- Hwang Sung-hyun, head of law firm Confidence in southern Seoul, can't say enough about how a new legal tech service has helped him save time and money. The senior attorney said SuperLawyer, developed by South Korean startup Law&Company, helps him analyze similar cases and draft legal documents to submit to courts. "When you hire an associate lawyer, you should pay him 5 million won ($3,500) per month. But you can get the same, or even better service if you subscribe to SuperLawyer, which charges 100,000 won per month for basic services," Hwang said. "Moreover, you don't have to be stressed out by people."
IOL News
20-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Confidence reimagined: My Journey with Roxie Nafousi
Confidence is your roadmap to knowing your worth and living unapologetically. Patterns kept repeating. Old ways of thinking, self-doubt, and that nagging voice of low self-esteem seemed stuck on a loop in my mind. I had just put down The Next Day by Melinda French Gates – a book full of inspiration and forward momentum – when I picked up Roxie Nafousi's Confidence. The title itself felt like a play on words, almost a gentle nudge: confidence isn't a destination, but a continuous process, a daily choice to rise. From the very first pages, Confidence felt less like a book and more like a coaching session with a wise, compassionate friend who truly understands the struggle of feeling 'not enough.' Roxie's approach is refreshingly grounded. She shatters the myth that confidence must be loud or flashy, instead inviting us to cultivate a steady, inner knowing rooted in self-respect – not external validation. As she writes, 'True confidence is not about being the loudest in the room; it's about being the most comfortable in your own skin.' Three powerful takeaways stood out for me: the emphasis on confidence being quiet and grounded, the necessity of breaking the comparison cycle, and the realisation that confidence is a daily practice. These aren't just nice ideas; they're actionable principles that transform your mindset. Roxie's framework is built around eight practical steps that guide you through this transformation: Master Your Thoughts – Become aware of and shift negative self-talk. Act with Intention – Make choices aligned with your values, not fear. Stop Trying to Be Liked by Everybody – Release the need for external approval. Break Free from Comparison – Celebrate your unique journey. Celebrate Yourself – Practice self-appreciation and accept compliments. Do Hard Things – Build resilience by stepping outside your comfort zone. Be of Service to Others – Connect and find value through helping. Show Up as Your Best Self – Commit to consistent growth and authenticity. What struck me most was how she addresses the toxic cycle of comparison, especially in our social media-saturated world. Roxie doesn't just tell you to stop comparing; she offers practical exercises that feel doable, like gentle daily rituals to retrain your brain. This aligns beautifully with the neuroscience insights of Tara Swart, whom Roxie references, showing how our brains can literally be rewired through intention and practice. Have you ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, feeling a pang of envy, and then spiralling into self-doubt? Roxie gets it, and she provides real tools to disrupt that pattern. 'Comparison is the thief of joy,' she reminds us, 'but it's also a habit we can unlearn.' I also appreciated the integration of trauma-informed perspectives, echoing the work of Gabor Maté. Roxie acknowledges that many of us carry deep wounds that fuel low self-esteem and people-pleasing behaviours. Her emphasis on self-compassion and breaking free from these patterns feels both healing and empowering. I remember her sharing her vulnerability regarding low self-esteem stemming from childhood insecurities and feeling like an outsider. Have you found yourself feeling that way? It made her advice feel so authentic. 'Healing begins when we stop fighting ourselves and start embracing our stories with kindness,' she writes. One of the most refreshing aspects is Roxie's reminder that confidence grows not just from within but through connection and service to others. She highlights that 'being of service to others' can surprisingly boost your own confidence by reminding you of your value in meaningful ways. This outward focus adds richness and depth to the journey, countering the common notion that confidence is purely self-focused. The book was a reminder for me, as I've delved into this work before, and I appreciated revisiting these concepts with fresh eyes. It reinforced the importance of daily intentionality and self-compassion in building confidence. Roxie's practical exercises and compassionate tone make this more than just a read-it-once book – it's a guide to return to whenever those old patterns threaten to resurface. Even so, I won't pretend the journey is easy. There were moments when old doubts crept back in, reminding me that confidence is a lifelong practice, not a quick fix. Roxie's openness about her own struggles made me feel less alone in those moments and encouraged me to keep showing up for myself. 'Confidence is not the absence of fear,' she says, 'but the courage to move forward despite it.' I found myself resonating deeply with her call to 'celebrate yourself' - something I had long neglected. Learning to accept compliments without deflecting them felt revolutionary. It's a simple but profound step toward honouring your worth. For me, Roxie's insights were the perfect companions to Melinda French Gates' call to action—deeply personal invitations to rise, every day, in my own quiet power. This book wasn't just about confidence; it was about honoring my own path and showing up fully, even when no one is watching. Thank you, Roxie, for this gift * Confidence by Roxie Nafousi can be obtained at Exclusive Books.
Canberra Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Canberra Times
Fifty Shades sequels director James Foley dead at 71
The filmmaker worked with Edward Burns, Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz on the 2003 film Confidence, which follows Jake Vig, played by Burns, a grifter whose con plan to avenge his friend's murder goes awry, leaving him indebted to a mob boss and his enforcer.
Washington Post
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
CWG Live updates Beautiful today, shower and storm chances return late Thursday
Today's daily digit — 10/10: Delightful with nice sunshine, lower humidity and delicious highs in the mid- to upper 70s! |🤚Your call? The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a 0-to-10 scale. Forecast in detail Today (Wednesday): Mostly sunny with fairly low humidity. After starting in the 50s to near 60, morning temperatures rise through the 60s, and then into the mid- to upper 70s for afternoon highs. The breeze is a pleasant one, around 10 mph from the west and northwest. Confidence: High 😎 Nice Day! Tonight: Partly cloudy as we fall back into the 60s during the evening. Winds turn very light this evening and overnight with lows in the mid-50s to low 60s. Confidence: High Tomorrow (Thursday): Partly sunny with highs in the upper 70s to near 80 as humidity trends a bit higher. The chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms gradually rises during the afternoon into evening as a cold front approaches. Confidence: Medium Tomorrow night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely during the evening. Showers should become more isolated overnight with partly to mostly cloudy skies and lows in the 50s. Confidence: Medium A look ahead Friday skies start mostly cloudy with isolated to scattered showers and a thundershower still possible. Rain chances should decrease at some point during the afternoon with increasing sunshine. Becoming mostly clear and rather cool Friday night with lows in the upper 40s to low 50s. Confidence: Low-Medium The Mother's Day weekend looks great with partly to mostly sunny skies, low humidity and highs in the 70s. Saturday night and Sunday night lows drop back to the 50s. Confidence: Medium-High
