Why Should We Make Meditation a Habit?

Meditation is not always easy.

People who have problems with anxiety can find meditation to be especially challenging.

It takes focus and concentration, and must be practiced for years to reap the full benefits.

But it can be a vital part of managing stress, controlling our thoughts, and decreasing our feelings of irritability.

It is important to develop a meditation practice that helps you stay focused and flexible.

Doing some meditation is like taking a yoga class, but on a much smaller scale.

One of the benefits of meditating is the ability to reduce stress.

It is often difficult for people to concentrate when they are stressed, so meditating can help us to find an even deeper sense of relaxation.

So when you are tempted to take on more responsibilities, think about ways that you can reduce your workload and concentrate on other, more positive things.

The Value of Amber: How Much Is It Worth?

Amber is a gorgeous honey-colored gemstone. While technically a wood resin, amber holds its own with the best and brightest jewels and minerals in the world.

Country artisans have used time-honored techniques to carve and shape this mysterious substance. Families in the artisanal Baltic amber trade pass down secrets from one generation of craftspeople to the next — turning already stunning natural amber into beads, cabochons, and other objects of beauty. However, amber is fragile. Unless stored and maintained properly, small pieces can become brittle or wear down. 

Even the simplest of amber creations can rival the most ethereal gems in value. Clearer amber is worth more, but gemstones that contain well preserved specimens of prehistoric living things can fetch a pretty penny. In some parts of the world, a gram of fine amber is so rare that it can fetch a better price than gold.