The LBD, a bathroom makeover and thoughts on meditation.

So as previously stated I have recently realized that I can wear my favorite little black dress, which I have been keeping in the back of the closet refusing to give away for 8 or so years. It is one of those one of a kind amazing fitting dresses and it has pockets. I had my Seth snap a couple of pictures of me in the dress before date night. It's a little hard to see, but you can get the idea.


Yesterday my mom and sister came over to help me paint my downstairs half bath. I did not think to take any before pictures, but let's just say the while room was a dingy white. We found an amazing green paint (apparently we like green paint) on the mistint shelf at my sister's home depot, so we used that and a black paint that we had already bought. We painted the vanity, medicine cabinet and trim black. 











I have a confession to make, I am a pagan and I can not meditate. I either blank my mind so much that there is literally nothing and doze off, or I will allow too much thought in and can't keep my mind on my meditation. It makes me feel like a bit of a failure because in my years as a practicing pagan I just can not catch on to meditation. Because of that I honestly just don't use meditation in my practice, but I have been trying to work my way through the book sexy witch and she uses a lot of guided meditation, which is holding me back, because I get no results from it. Does anyone have any thoughts on meditation or advice? I feel like I am missing out on something. 



Comments

Toriz said…
First of all, not being able to meditate doesn't make you a failure; my hubby has been a Pagan since not long before I met him (bearing in mind we've now been married 8 and a half years) and he still can't manage to meditate properly.

Anyway, I'm not a meditation guide or anything, but I'll do my best to help you out.

First of all, make sure you're comfy and that there wont be distractions. Then start breathing in and out in a slow and even rhythm; focusing all your attention on your breathing. Once you're feeling completely relaxed, allow your mind to wonder to whatever you're meant to be meditating on; allow it a bit of free reign to explore the thoughts and images, but if it starts to wonder too far from the subject of your meditation then bring it back to focusing on your breathing.

Don't worry about it, and don't try and force thoughts and images. Just keep relaxed, and remember that it does take time and a lot of practice to be able to just drift in to a meditation at will. In fact, I'm sure even the most skilled at meditating sometimes find they just can't do it properly for some reason.

Hope that helps.
Queenie Believe said…
The powder room is wonderful, very fun.
Regarding meditation... Be gentle with yourself. Sometimes it can't be forced... Sometimes it can likely happen at a time and space not originally set by you. Be open to options as they are prompted in your spirit as to time and place. In guilded meditation when thoughts that are unrelated to where you want to go gently sweep them aside like swimming through clouds.
Hope that helps a wee bit.
Have a great day,
Always, Queenie
Karla said…
Betsy you look great in your black dress! I love when I jump into my closet just to find old-new' stuff hehe It is an excitement of the new but that you did not have to pay twice for it haha
I noticed a great frame very vintagy if not early century, (in ur second dress pic). Loved it!

Your powder room rocks! Love the boldness. Even though I cannot see the curtain details it complements the whole look. You guys did a great job ;)
Karla said…
ohhh and about meditation.. I am not pagan (or anything for that matter) but I definitely cannot meditate. I believe is part of my temperament.. I am too wild and my wheels' are running crazy all the time. My chain of ideas is soo powerful! I am a gemini so I am all over the place most of the time. So, perhaps it is part of you! You definitely are NOT a failure because you cannot meditate. I am not sure what the purpose of meditating would be for you.. but perhaps if you can accomplish that purpose by doing something else then you do not need to meditate. Just a thought ;)
Anonymous said…
Fun bathroom!

Here's my 2cents on meditation (and I say this having had very similar struggles with it). First, not meditating doesn't make you a failure. Second, I don't always find guided visualizations helpful, especially if they have images that don't jive with you or are at a pace that doesn't work for you.

What's worked best for me are the following:

1. meditation labyrinths. If you have one in your town... give it a go, they are quite lovely. or make one out of cord in a room in your house

2. breath techniques that keep me focused. I work with this to keep me awake too! Breathe in for the count of 4 (or 3 if 4 is too long), hold for 4, breathe out for 4, hold for 4 and then repeat. Start with 5 mins and every time your mind starts to wander, just come back to the breathing again.

It's not easy. I'll be the first to admit that. After over a year, I'm at 15 mins and am dreading trying to transition to 20. Another thing... I don't sit cross legged because it kills my knees. I just sit upright in a firm but comfy chair.

Hope it helps.

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