Laura

All the Small Things

What’s one small improvement you can make in your life?

Honestly.

There’s probably a billion “small” little things I could do to improve my life.

Small changes often lead to big rewards and results, after all. Depending on if you actually make the effort to implement them.

But the WordPress overlords only asked for one… so, it’s gonna be something I enjoy.

I was searching for the Northern Lights

I’ve been debating for a while on purchasing an actual camera, not just taking photos from my phone.

Since I’ve always loved photography.

However, I’ve owned several cameras in the past, and I just have some trouble figuring out which one I’d like if I owned one today.

They might be small things from far away…

Plus, it’s not convenient. These photos were taken on my overnight shift. Don’t think I’ll necessarily be dragging a camera with me to work. So that’s one minus. Is it really an improvement, or not? But then again, nothing beats real, true professional-level photos.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for all the stars in the skies

I guess I may have to debate that one back and forth for a moment longer.

I could also probably work out more often. In dealing with all the changes, transitions, and unexpected snafus these past few months, it’s been more of a difficult challenge than I’d like. It definitely can push my buttons (and not in a good way) if I can’t get a chance to work out. I still do make time for biking, hula-hooping, and yoga when I can. But something’s gotta give with that one, since it’s so good for your health – mental and otherwise. Nothing I love more than to get the blood raging through my veins to help me expend my actual rage, LOL.

And finally.

Deep. Breath.

Meditation.

I have a love-hate relationship with meditation. I go too deep sometimes, and other times, the intrusive thoughts never stop. It’s better if I meditate with music, but sometimes that defeats the purpose of listening to the silence and hearing what I need to. (Make it make sense?) Plus, I was recently called out for not meditating enough, “I know you say you can’t, but…” it’s something I really need to master – because it will only help me develop in the way I truly want to.

Well, that’s about all, for now anyways. And I just realized that’s three things, not one. Oh well, WordPress, you can’t always get what you want! And that includes my money. 😉

Happiest Monday, everyone!

41 comments

  1. Have a happy monday too Laura. I also have problems with meditation, I have complexes in my psyche that are charged with energy and out of my control, so I don’t wanna trigger them. I’m working with a psychotherapist to resolve them. But I take walks in nature and sit and conteplate things, sometimes beautiful moments happen. Actually, yesterday I had a blissful moment in nature, i kneeled and touched the ground to feel it under my palm and I also smelled it, it was so beautiful. I started to turn myself around like I was dancing. Moments like that happen, but not as often as I’d like though. I’m actually gonna write a post on this topic right now! Thanks for your inspirative post here. 😊

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  2. I too love to meditate without music because of the same reason that you had mentioned. Doing work out feels like climbing mountains to me at times😅.. I had gained lot of pounds during last two months. I just don’t feel like doing it and then I feel bad for not doing it. So I have 2 things in common from the list. Loved your post. Felt that honesty and relevance.

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    • I find meditating a bit more difficult than working out 😆 I definitely feel the guilt if I don’t work out, but I enjoy that immensely where as sometimes meditation feels like a big feat I have to take on, lol. And yes, sometimes without music is better, because it’s distracting in a way and really takes away from the experience unless you are only doing it for relaxation. Oddly enough, during some forms of working out, I can reach sort of a trance/meditative state – so maybe I should just keep doing that instead lol 😂

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      • Wow! that’s great. I never heard someone say something like this about working out. You’re blessed that you enjoy working out that much. Actually I’m an introvert and love more silence maybe that’s why I do find meditation more easy. But working out is really very important. I have to make peace with it 😅

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      • The only way I can compare it maybe is to perhaps driving a car – you zone out in that manner sometimes as your driving, doing movements and actions automatically, kind of like the working out for me 😊 and I’m an introvert too – love the silence and the peace it can bring 🙏

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  3. The pics look great, regardless. You might not tote a camera to work with you, but you might enjoy it if you’re out walking in the woods or hiking.
    As for the other item, would it help to start with smaller doses of meditation so to speak? And so you’re still getting some time, but not going too deep? Just asking from a novice point of view. As far as working out, I’ve been in the same boat lately, so I feel you there

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    • Thank you so much, as always! 😊
      And funny you should mention that, as I was going to put it in my post, but then it would be kinda too long. But one of the women I practice with says, “I don’t care if it’s 3 minutes of meditation on the toilet!” Lol…not the greatest place to do it it would seem, but it does help you tap in a bit more if you know it’s going to be short, and with the purpose of maybe just increasing it for longer periods of time when necessary.

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      • It seems really that there’s no need for an arbitrary time frame. If you are reaping benefit, what’s the difference whether it’s 5 minutes or 50.
        Kind of like a workout. 10 minutes is far better than zero.

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      • Of course, there doesn’t have to be a timeframe. It depends on what the purpose of the meditation is, however, and what goal it’s trying to serve for you. For me, I can receive the information I’m looking for in other ways, perhaps through writing, or dreams, or whatever. So when I finally decide to silence my mind, it can allow for some very interesting things to come in. Can’t always control what comes through, though. So that’s why the need for not too long or deep…Sometimes 😊 but the shorter time frame makes sense to avoid that, in ways. And yes, it is like working out, because your flexing your intuitive muscles, and you do actually have to keep it up to some degree to keep everything open and flowing 😊
        Sorry, a novel. Haha! Goodnite.

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  5. I also have a strange relationship with meditation. For some periods of time, I meditate regularly, using different styles, but then I often experience periods when I can hardly concentrate on it. It’s as if my mind simply gets tired from meditating.

    I remember that once I delved so deeply into this process that I could feel that I’m everything and could transfer my mind everywhere.

    I did a couple of journeys to the higher (mostly), middle, and lower Worlds recently, but then it was followed by a week of rest. Well, my psyche was in a state of constant alertness, overexcitability, and being triggered.

    So, I can absolutely relate to your experience I guess 🙂

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    • Same, yeah it can be very strange.
      It can feel like a task, but it’s something you know you have to do. It can be relaxing and I feel it can also induce certain states.
      Lots of different aspects of it, anyways. 😊
      And that’s a crazy experience! It’s mentally taxing, for sure in some ways, especially if you’re doing it for the purposes of trying to pick up and remember information.
      And thank you, I know you can relate 😊 🙏

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      • Yes, I often feel it as completing a taks, or getting some kind of knowledge I should now work upon, deepen it.
        Yeah, it’s crazy cool experience 😀

        ❤

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  6. Fantastic blog post, Laura! If I can make one small improvement in my life, it would be for me to cut down on my talking. I talk quite a bit. I am on the Autism Spectrum … and I actually didn’t start talking until I was four.

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  8. Finding the right materials for any creative craft is sometimes the thing that makes or breaks it for you.

    That said, I have found I can get a pretty high quality (or at least, something very good-looking) with my phone camera – I’m sure it depends on the device and the needs of the individual though.

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    • Thanks for your input 🙏 😊 yes the pictures can be pretty high quality, but absolutely, having the right items can sometimes make or break you and makes the hobby or endeavor all the more enjoyable 😊

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  10. You capture beautiful photos on your phone, Laura, but maybe you could meet yourself in the middle, beginning to put aside savings and researching cameras. If you decide not to purchase it, you would have the money aside for your next vacation or something. 🙂 Just an idea.

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    • ❤️ thank you, your words mean so much to me! 😊 I appreciate that. And yes, it’s a great idea, I do think I want something that takes a bit higher quality photos. But the vacation idea…sounds like it needs to happen regardless. Haha.
      I always try to plan in advance. Like if it’s 6 months- 1 year out – I’ll start putting the money aside so when it comes time there’s not much else to pay for 😊 last minute could be good, too though! Lol 😆

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