What a beautiful place to walk and hike. It is refreshing and relaxing to connect with nature. Being unplugged lets you hear and enjoy all nature has to offer. On walks I often listen to the birds, look at the trees as they change seasons, smell the flowers, and talk to neighbors. Relax and enjoy life.

I hit this wall sometimes in meditation as well. There is a part of us that is uncomfortable doing “nothing” and will fight tooth and nail to get us doing “something”. There is something about being extra productive that gives us a feeling of reward. Sometimes, running or working out without an audio book or music somehow feels less productive with our time. But there is value in embracing the actively fully. I’ve trained in a lot of dojo that like to pump music throughout the whole class. I have nothing against working out to music–but karate has its own “sound”. It’s nice to take a vacation from all of that extra stimulation sometime and just enjoy the base activity for what it is.

That was such a great act of kindness to the bird. They may have not lived if you didn’t help them. Thanks for caring for all living beings no matter what their size is.

That’s so cool! I want to come by and visit with my family.

I also have a hard time fitting everything in. I try and do a little bit at one time. I can’t do all my pushups and sit ups all at once. I break them up at different times of the day. Some days I can’t get in all the exercise I aim for. I try to do a little more on a different day. Do what you can at the times when you can.

Sometimes if you just take some time to yourself you can find yourself focusing on a solution faster. Maybe you can just read or meditate whenever you can, that is what helps me when I get stressed out sometimes. I’m sure you will find a way to work around your problem.

You’ve doing great getting into the dojo consistently to train given your distance of the commute! I’d recommend trying to get some sparring partners to stay after class with you every day you are in so you can keep up on your sparring rounds too!