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