La's Travel and Photography

My Guide to Relaxing And Why It's Needed

2015-06-26T12:24:00.004-04:00

My Guide to Relaxing And Why It's Needed

After the stroke and the brain tumor surgery, learning how to take care of myself became my number one priority. I became an expert in the art of relaxation. Well, maybe not an expert but I'm definitely on my way. It took a long time for me to come into my new self. Yes, my new self because the old me is no longer, I've tried hard to be that old self. My truth is that I will never be the person that I was but more on that topic at another time. Today it's all about my guide to relaxation and hoping that this helps someone out there that may need to learn how to relax.

Finding peace, calmness, and harmony became important to me. The quietness was already there, I had relocated to a different state just for that. It's a very difficult task to just become into yourself, to find peace within yourself, and then be happy with just being with yourself ( I hope you caught on to that little piece of wisdom). I was more of a people person say twenty years ago, so that task was difficult for me. In the past I was constantly on the go, working, going to school, and trying to have some social life at the same time. I had no real idea of what it meant to relax. The goal of maintaining good health along with some peace of mind was going to be a harder task than working those thirty years of my life. This is why relaxation has become such a major part of my routine. Creating and adapting to a routine will be another topic I will discuss in the future. If your'e having trouble relaxing, put some of these techniques to a test. You might be surprised or maybe find yourself relaxing!

My Top Six Relaxation Techniques:

Water Aerobics - Anytime spent in the water is relaxing. Water aerobics or water arthritis programs are wonderful ways to stay in shape as well as relax. When those aches and pains start reacting sometimes the water is the only place where you can move your body without having any pain.

Meditation/Prayer - It took my mind sometime to stay focused on meditation. I've made some serious breakthroughs from meditation. After the stroke I find that my mind races so much, so there are times when meditation will be challenging. But I do love it. Prayer, also like meditation, I do daily. I practice prayer morning, noon, and night. The mind, body, and spirit are the areas that I try to stay focused on.

Golfing/Fishing - I enjoy fishing so it's a natural relaxed state for me. Some people just don't enjoy the task of fishing because the handling of the fish, and other reasons. If the activity is relaxing I will find a way around any annoyances in order to reap the benefits.
Travel - This is my favorite relaxation technique. I suggest traveling any opportunity you happen to get. Not only do I get to see new places I also get to indulge in the art of vacationing. Taking a road trip across the country is something that I've always wanted to do. Drive and take my time, enjoy the sights, take pictures, and try different foods. I've already taken a vacation this year and I will share my thoughts with you on another blog. The process of planning a trip can also be relaxing, and exciting. You begin to feel happiness because something new is about to happen.

Outdoors/Nature/Parks - Sitting out in a park, having a cookout, relaxing under a tree are all types of outdoor nature activities that I partake in. I enjoy being outdoors mainly in the fall, spring and the summer months. If it's snowing in the winter then I wouldn't mind being outdoors playing in it. for awhile. Taking pictures of the fall season foliage is another relaxer.

Photography/Painting - I have a love for photography and a love to capture beautiful subjects. For me, travel and photography go hand and hand. My goal is to share some of my vacation adventures and photography with you on this blog. Photography is therapy. The more I do it, the better I become at it. I started to take up painting during my healing journey. Painting is very relaxing however I don't indulge enough time in it for perfection. That will be changing!

Try to relax every opportunity you can find. You could be sitting in traffic, frustrated. At this point, try and meditate about a place where you would like to be. Find something to take your mind away from the stress. Not everyone is capable of taking a vacation. But you can take a vacation of the mind!
Take Care

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Record Ice Storm Photos 2014: High Point, NC

2014-03-10T23:05:00.003-04:00

Thursday March 6th, High Point was hit with a severe ice storm that hadn't been seen in these parts for about a decade. The next day thousands were without power in high point and a total of 73.677 in Guilford County alone. My power didn't come on until midnight Saturday which left me without power for two days. Duke Energy reported that everyone should be with power by Wednesday of this week, leaving some without power for six or seven days. Whether it's a ice storm or a snow storm you can bet that I'll be out somewhere taking pictures.

Moral March on Raleigh, Shaw University

2014-03-03T15:29:00.000-05:00

Thousands gathered at Shaw University on Saturday February 8th, 2014 to let their voices be heard once again in protests against Governor Pat McCrory's signing of several bills that are very controversial in the state of North Carolina. When Governor Pat McCrory was elected into office in 2012 his victory also helped give the republicans the majority in both state houses, something that hasn't happened since 1870.

In response to some of the controversial bills that the governor has signed, Moral Monday protests were organized. Hundreds gathered every Monday for civil disobedience rallies which were held peacefully. Demonstrators entered the state legislative building with the intentions of getting arrested. More than 900 demonstrators have been arrested since the protests began. Religious leaders along with Rev.William Barber, head of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP organized the demonstrations. The people are upset because of all of the cutbacks such as cutting the unemployment for thousands in the state, signing a bill which blocks the state from expanding medicaid to lower income families and from operating any online health care market place. He has also signed a bill which repels the state's Racial Justice Act of 2009 which allowed inmates facing the death penalty to challenge their sentences on the basis of racial discrimination.

The Moral March on Raleigh is an historic march that came into fruition in 2006, under the leadership of Rev. Barber and the North Carolina NAACP, formed the Thousands on Jones St (HKonJ) People's Assembly Coalition. The coalition is made up of over 126 NAACP North Carolina chapters, and over 160 social justice organizations. Each year forces are joined together in a mass assembly to reinforce the group's objectives, The 14 Point People's Agenda.

All children need high quality, well funded diverse schools
Livable wages and support for low-income people
Health Care for All
Redress two ugly chapters in N.C's racist history: The overthrow of the bi-racial 1898 Wilmington Government and the sterilization of poor, mainly black women from 1947-1977
Same day registration and public financing of elections
Lift every HBCU
Document and redress almost 200 years of State discrimination in hiring and contracting
Provide affordable housing and Stop consumer abuse
Abolish racially biased Death Penalty and Mandatory Sentencing Laws; Reform our prisons
Put young people to work to save the environment and fight for environmental justice
Collective bargaining for public employees and support Smithfield Workers right to unionize
Protect the rights of Immigrants from Latin America and other nations
Organize, Strengthen and Provide funding for our Civil Rights Enforcement\Agencies and Statutes now
Bring our troops home from Iraq now

Forward Together and Not One Step Back!

A Powerful Message from this young student. A right to education for everyone!

Support for Woman's Rights - Planned Parenthood

North Carolina has the worst voter suppression laws in the Country

Rev. Barber speaking before the crowd at Shaw University

Students from the coalition

Demonstrators

Students from HBCU's

Occupy Greensboro Protests

2012-02-06T18:13:00.000-05:00

Occupy Greensboro, North Carolina

The Signs Tell The Story

Protesters march in front of the International Civil Rights Museum (Historic Woolworth Counter)

Protesters Gathering Signs To Carry

A Sign Of New Life

2012-01-29T11:21:00.000-05:00

To my surprise, one morning I came outside to see this bird chilling on one of the gutters on the house. I immediately grabbed my camera and began to document this experience.

FRONT VIEW: This is a picture of the Mother

SIDE VIEW: Right before she hatched her eggs

NEW LIFE: The New Arrivals

NEW LIFE: Ready For The World

"Seasons"

2009-11-20T15:10:00.000-05:00

FALL - HIGH POINT, NC

WINTER - HIGH POINT, NC

AUTUMN - ASHVILLE, NC

Welcome to my Blog

2008-10-28T19:51:00.000-04:00

Hi,
Welcome to my blog spot for photograpy, video and topics. This is my first entry, I will keep it short. Keep checking back because I will soon add some photos for you to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

LA