HW420 - Unit 10

     In unit three I gave myself an 8 for spirituality.  I have always believed in God and the power and wisdom he has given me.  From an early age, I knew the importance of this connection in my life.  I know I need to be more actively involved in a community of faith.  My husband and I both feel a need for the sense of community – we just have not found our second family.  It is for this reason I have not progressed from an 8. Spiritually I am lifted every time I take a walk outdoors or look outside my bay window. 

     It’s time for the two of us to be more active and find that community that satisfies our need for a spiritual family.  Easter is always a good time to start anew.  We need to find our home by Easter Sunday.  That is our goal.  We have ventured to a few places.  We will be trying a new Church this week.

     Physically, I rated myself at a 5.  I had planned to go to the rec center religiously but failed.  However, I have modified our eating plan and shifted the structure of meals around the Paleo diet.  I bout a Nutri Bullet and make everything from fresh fruits and vegetables.  I have shed 8 pounds in the past 2 weeks and feel great.  I definitely have more energy.  I have increased my rating to a 6.  I have a long way to go.  I have decided to make our meal choices part of a lifelong lifestyle change and not diet.  Since my husband is not big on going to the rec center,  I need to implore the assistance of one of my children to keep me accountable and exercise on my own.  I have not done that yet.  I am coming down from 10 weeks of statistics.  I do plan on becoming more active outdoors when the weather improves.

     Psychologically, I rated myself a 9.5 in unit 3.  I do feel confident and positive.  I learned a long time ago not to sweat the little stuff and to be grateful for what I have.  I am more focused on the needs of my patients at work.  I find myself taking the additional time to see the human being before me and not just the physical complaint.  It is a much more fulfilling way of delivering care. 

    This course has provided me skills to dissolve mind chatter and negative thoughts as soon as I recognize them.  As a result, I am more alert, focused and yes, happy.

     Right now it is snowing outside.  I do love winter and the clean crispness of the air.  That pretty much is how I feel about this journey we all have been on.  It's been cleansing and liberating and thank God it's on-line, for I doubt I would be this publicly honest.

HW 420 - Final Project

HW420 – Final Project

    In order to health and wellness professionals to understand the patient in need of healing, they must first embark in a journey of inner consciousness, understanding and healing for themselves.  To act with empathy and kindness comes from seeing another human being and feeling their pain.  The completeness of a human being is not based on biological healing but the healing of the person as a whole – physically, spiritually, and psychologically.

    Psychologically, I know what I need to accomplish.  This will help me to obtain the spiritual and physical side of me that needs some help.  My husband and I both understand the need for a healthier lifestyle including the need for spiritual intervention in our lives.  We are currently searching for a forum that will combine my Catholic and his Protestant beliefs into one mutually satisfying association which we both feel a belonging and a need.  Our desire to share in something more than ourselves, tells me how strong our union is and the potential of what it can be.  I am looking forward to the next 50 years of our life together as we get to know each other after children.

     Physically, we have joined the rec center and work out together.  I have also put us on the Paleo diet.  I already feel so much healthier and full of energy.   Whatever I plan for myself, he becomes part of my journey.  Tonight, I asked him if he would be willing to participate in a meditation/reiki session with me.  To my surprise, he said yes.  I am so thrilled that he takes me seriously.  Maybe he has seen the positive change in me.

     Psychologically, I will look into a person’s eyes when I speak to them so that I can truly see them.  I do not want to misinterpret the message they are giving me, spoken or not.   To really see the patient as a human being interconnected into a web of relationships and how my encounter may affect him/her.  Do I have the ability to influence his life in a positive way?

Assessment & Goal Development

     I score my health 6 for I do not suffer any diseases or detrimental health problems.  I am overweight and already have a plan in action.  My goal is to be able to go horseback riding with my husband this summer.  However, I will not mount a horse until I am 50#’s lighter.  Psychologically, I want to maintain a peaceful and happy demeanor at work and home and hope my demeanor will rub off anyone I come in contact.   Rate my psychological wellbeing at an 8.  Spiritually, I am at a 7.  I hope to find that congregation that I can call home.  I want my husband to feel same.  It is my goal to become an active participant in a church community.

Practices for personal health

     For physical health, I need to incorporate active exercise with visualized meditation.  I have used this in the past without realizing I was actually using a form of meditation and it does work.

     For spiritual, my need for private prayer is satisfied naturally when I walk through the park or in my backyard.  My need for community still needs to be fulfilled.  I am hopeful that will happen soon.  We have some prospects in mind.

     For psychological, I use the breathing exercises to help me filter out negative thoughts.  Focusing on an individual’s eyes reminds me to see a person through their point of view.  How the world seems in their eyes.

Commitment

     Honestly, I am the only one who can hold me accountable.  To fail in these areas is to deny myself calm abiding and integral health and wellbeing.  I want to see these goals to fruition and live a long, healthy life with my soul mate.  I am excited for the future and the power it holds.  I think if my husband and I decide to participate in one of the local meditation/reiki groups, we have a better chance of maintaining our long term practices for health and wellness.

Good luck to everyone in their progress to integral health and wellbeing.

Laurie

Meditation

I have spent the past few days focusing on meeting Aesclepius.  My biggest problem was trying to visualize my mentor.  So, I did try Jesus.  I am not perfect and in my mind, cannot emulate
 Jesus ( even though I want to).  I finally visualized a woman dressed in white - she was me, only 30 years younger and much thinner.  She is everything I hoped to be - calm, peaceful, forgiving and wise.  Her presence put me at ease as I was able to participate in the exercise with success.      
     I find myself still struggling with the loving kindness exercise, it may be due to the fact that I have so many people in my life that I love and care.  Singling out one individual is difficult for me.  I cannot pick and choose, -  my mind becomes a cluttered mess all over again.
     The subtle mind exercise is still my favorite, although, I will be visiting Aesclepius more frequently.  I am intrigued with the concept of getting to know a better version of me.

     For the work environment,  I still find the deep breathing exercises most useful.  This definitely helps me to clear my head making me less reactive and more proactive when caught in difficult situations.  This simple form of meditation is a convenience for me and helps me to refocus my attention.  It has also been helpful with treating patients who are undergoing painful procedures.

Meeting Aesclepius

     I am definitely one of those people that really has to find that perfect time of day for meditation.  At least for this exercise.  I can see the power in this particular exercise and I really want to actualize the full benefit of mindfulness and spiritual wellness.  I got caught up on picking the right mentor.  I kept picturing Judy Dench (M from James Bond) and Helen Miren from RED.  I'm not even that old and certainly not that grey.  About half way through my active mind said "why didn't you focus on Christ?"
It certainly would have made more sense.  That's what happens when I try to concentrate too hard after a trying 12 hour shift in the ED.  I plan to practice this some more.  Maybe I will have more success.  I seem to have much better luck with clearing my head with deep breathing exercises.  It is my goal to be a source of comfort and trust for my patients at work.  I believe this exercise may be the key to achieving these goals.
     To be successful in promoting health and wellness, we need to make examples of ourselves, otherwise, it's the blind leading the blind and everyone gets lost.  The best practitioners practice what they preach.  They not only become a credible and reliable support for their patients but for their peers as well.  We all have an obligation to develop our health physically, psychologically and spiritually so that we possess the tools to help others in their journey to wellness.
     A few moments a day spent in quiet reflection on my spiritual beliefs helps me to put life, in general, into perspective.  Focusing on what it is I was meant to do on earth assists me in my spiritual and psychological growth.

Laurie

Universal loving kindness

  

     I need to continue to work on my meditative state.  I definitely have a more difficult time of taming my mind after a 12 hour shift in the ED.  I do find myself pausing to reflect on my thoughts and how they are influencing my actions.  I did not feel anything powerful emanate from my mind but I can appreciate the potential it holds.  This will be another exercise I will try to practice in the morning (especially during the drive into work) and before I go to bed at night.  

     I would like to focus on the phrase "May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering" since this has greater meaning for me and my profession.  After time, I will add the rest.

      After completing the Integral Assessment, the one thing I did discover as a source of difficulty and suffering is my  biological development.  My self esteem is influenced by my physical appearance.  Quite frankly, sporting the extra pounds has made me feel old and tired.  There is a very vibrant and energetic me trapped inside.  After 12 years, I finally renewed our membership at the rec center.  I am taking my soul mate along for the ride as we walk and exercise our way back to our former selves.

     I felt more connected and at peace when I was physically fit.  I want to be back in that place again, only more confident.

Laurie 

The Subtle Mind

 Hello everyone,

     I had a better experience with the subtle mind exercise than I had with the loving kindness.  I felt I had too many things to do with the loving kindness which I think made it difficult for me to concentrate on eliminating mental chatter.  I think I have always exercised the subtle mind to some degree especially at night.  I can remember as a child how I use to lie awake at night and concentrate on my breathing until I could fall asleep.  I use to enjoy that relaxed state just before sleep took over.  I think when we were younger, we were much more capable of creativity and self expression than we are as adults.  Why do we deny ourselves of the possibilities of full awareness as adults?
     Spiritual wellness - a journey I hope to complete.  My spiritual wellness is that still ocean that the the rivers of my mind will eventually travel to.  I am looking forward to achieving this skill -  the profound peacefulness that is part of calm-abiding and finally unity consciousness.  Without spiritual wellness we risk physical wellness and mental distress.  Isolation, depression and anger replace peace, happiness and overall health and well being. 

Laurie

waves

  I find the more I try to focus and concentrate, the more distracted I become.  As those distracting images float into my mind, I try very hard to vaporize them.  This is a mental workout.  I will continue to practice, so that I can train my mind to see filter out distractions which, I'm sure, will enhance my psychological health.
     I do believe the loving-kindness exercise will be beneficial if I continue to be diligent.  What I thought were issues in my life, really are minimal.  To "diminish focus on our self and redirect that focus to those in need".  
     As far as the mental work-out.  Studies have proven that mental exercises, such as word,number and crossword games, have been shown to decrease the likelihood of senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease and depression.

Waves

Prisim

Hello everyone,

     I finally found my quiet time.  My son made a crackling fire in the fireplace.  I lit a few scented candles and moved my favorite chair in front of the fire place.  Perfect.  A little too perfect.  I fell asleep during bright yellow and woke up to indigo.  I played the session again.  What I am starting to realize, this takes some work.  I really have to concentrate.  I suppose it's no different from anything else in life that is worth accomplishing and maybe with frequent practice, I just may be able to accomplish optimal well-bring.  I feel like I may be on the edge of what it must be like, but the moments do not last.
     I also spent some time with the "Loving-Kindness" exercise.  This did help me with regards to my son who is stationed in Afghanistan.  It's the loneliness I feel for him, being so far away from his family and his new bride.  So I breathed in loneliness and separation and breathed out health, happiness and wholeness to Andrew.
      As far as rating spiritual well-being, today, I feel like an 8,  physically, I'm at a 5, and psychologically, I give 9.5.
     I bought a new pair of sketchers for the gym and a swim suit so that I can sit in the sauna - so slowing, I am preparing to dive into my physical routine which can only enhance the psychological.  My spiritual journey has already started as I plan to find time for the relaxation and practice exercises.
   Why was this exercise called the "crime of the century"?

Laurie

breathtaking

I listened to the the relaxation exercise this morning.  I do feel rather uplifted.  Maybe I will not have to rely on my normal pot of java to start my day.  I finally located one of my favorite photos - I cannot remember the photographer but I I love how I feel when I look at this picture.  Something serene about this journey.  I can feel the quiet and stillness.

Laurie

Cricketsdance

Hello everyone,

     The original title for my blogspot was to be cricketsdance but I had some difficulty trying to navigate the site.  I am not tech savvy and often need to rely on my 16 yr son to assist me.  

     Cricket is the nickname for my youngest daughter who excels in the art form of dance...lyrical, ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap and modern.  She has the ability to express her emotion in her art form and not just "go through the motions".  She brings tears to my eyes when I see her perform.  I recognize her passion for I use to be a figure skater.  The ice was my haven as I was able to liberate myself to music and dance.  She continues to be my inspiration as I have not skated in over 30 years.

Laurie