Unit 6: Meditation and Mindfulness

This exercise was my reality check.  I had to face the music about myself and be honest with my assessment because I really want to change and see some positive improvements in my life as a WHOLE.  I discovered that I was not in love with myself.  As I ponder this question further, I am made aware of how I bend over backwards to serve and help others reach their goals of self help, I am neglecting myself in that same area.  I discovered that I constantly feel undeserving or unworthy of the nice things people say or do for me.  Specific exercise (s) or activities I can implement to foster greater awareness in this area would be to implement both subtle mind and loving kindness practices daily to help me intentionally change my thought about myself.  I should also pamper and reward myself often and not leave my self worth up to others.  Does anyone else have other suggestions for me?

Unit 5: The Key Role of Thought in Wellness and Healing

The past  two weeks have been somewhat chaotic and depressing for me because my best girlfriend of 20+ years was diagnosed with breast cancer - stage 2.  When she told me, it felt like a ton of bricks hitting me in my chest.  We both cried for days.  I missed a few days of work and maybe a week or so from class.  I completely detached myself from everything and everyone.  A kiss and a hug from my son let me know I was needed.  After tending to their needs, I listened to Loving Kindness and Subtle Mind Practices.  They were right on time for me and what I was experiencing.  According to the Loving Kindness Practice, I must be concerned about the health and welfare of others with a diminish focus on myself and focus on others.  This practice was difficult and I could not seem to focus, all kinds of thoughts were coming from everywhere.  I could not get it to still.  As for the Subtle Mind Practice, it was all about me, my breathing, the busyiness of my mind.  This exercise was a little more complicated because I was not hearing voices to guide my thinking.  The sound effects of the sea helped me to relax but I still lack total focus.  This is going to take lots of practice on my part.

The connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness are vital, intricate parts to the whole person.  They are interrelated.  All parts must be well and in sync with each other for optimal health and wellness (human flourishing).  This connection is manifested in my life through prayer, moderate exercise (my long walks on the beach), reading and engaging in board games with my sons.

~Deborah

Unit 3 - Rainbow Relaxatin Exercise

1.       Based on your reflections, and on a scale of 1 to 10 (ten being optimal well-being), where do you rate your A-physical well-being, B-spiritual well-being, C-psychological well-being? Why?

A.      My physical well-being as 5

B.      My spiritual well-being as 6

C.      My psychological well-being 6

My mid range ratings are primarily due to me always attending to the needs of others and putting myself last.

2.        The I will set for myself in all three areas would be to take care of my needs so I can be more equipped to help others that are in need.

3.       Exercises and activities I can implement in my life to assist in moving toward

A.      My physical well-being will be to implement a cardiovascular program and continue to modify my eating habits (no sugars and no red meats and increase fruit and vegetable intake)to help stimulate weight loss.  My goal is to loose 30lbs by August without any dietary supplements.

B.      Meditation, prayer, speaking kind words or performing kind deeds for someone each day will help my spiritual well-being.

C.      Thinking positive, reading material that encourages and empowers me will help my psychological well-being.

4.       The Rainbow Exercise was amazingly relaxing.  Again, I had to listen to it about 3 times before I was fully able to relax and follow the exercise.  I felt as if I was floating on a raft and allowing the colors of the rainbow to completely engulf my body. In essence, this was yoga without the physical stretching.

Journey on Relaxtion Exercise

I have made many attempts in the past to totally relax my mind and body and failed. My brain would not stop thinking about things that needed to be done or wondering the the kids were doing.... However, this attempt was much different because I was successful in clearing my mind and thinking of absolutely nothing.  I listened to the exercise 4 times before I was able to relax without anticipating the next step.  I can get used to this.  If I was able to unwind in 10 minutes, imagine what I can do in 30 minutes, each day.