For this weeks meditation practice I really had to, well, how do I say it. . . focus on focusing. However, I do appreciate the purpose of this practice. Throughout this course I have learned a lot about myself. Some good and some not so good. Through meditation/mindfulness I have been able to change some of those "not so good" things. I feel like I have an increased awareness of my thoughts and actions. I am now acting with intention rather than reacting. I hope to continue practicing meditation and mindfulness to even further increase these aspects in my life. I have just begun and have already seen improvement, so imagine what a few years could do?!?
"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself"
This saying is talking about effective leadership. This saying is very applicable in the Health and Wellness field. For me personally, it is a lot easier to trust someones teaching when they themselves have experienced the things that they are teaching me. For example, (sorry I seem to always mention my weight issues : / ) I feel that I will be able to help and encourage people who are trying to lose weight, struggle with poor self-esteem, have no confidence in themselves and feel like they aren't worth the effort--because I HAVE BEEN THERE. I can not only encourage them and teach them the knowledge that I have on diet and exercise, but I can empathize with them. I know what they are thinking. I know what they are feeling. Someone who has not experienced these things may not be as effective as someone who has. Yes, I feel that I would have an obligation to my clients to develop my own physical, spiritual and psychological health. As a leader/teacher I should be the example to my students/clients. Actions speak louder than words. How can I hold a client to certain expectations when I do not hold myself to the same expectations? I can implement psychological and spiritual development into my life by continuing to practice yoga and meditation, as well as, prayer and a time of reflection.
Haddie S.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
integral assessment
I really like the universal loving kindness exercise. Today, through technology our world has shrunk. We can talk to people halfway around the world, or fly there in less then 24 hours. Our own "personal" worlds have also shrunk. We are more connected with our electronics than we are with our own relationships. We barely listen to our own bodies let alone other peoples needs. This exercise is a great reminder that people need people. We are very different, but in essence we are all the same. We want to love and be loved; we want to give; we want freedom; we want health and happiness. This exercise made me think of how I was inspired by others to get healthy, and my hope and prayers are to be an inspiration to many others.
The integral assessment is a good tool to use to do a "self check". Life changes, we change, so it is important to do an assessment more than once in your life! My assessment showed that I am very good at loving, serving and listening to others, but it is easy for me to put myself down, and push my needs aside. Over the past couple of years I have changed a lot of my lifestyle behaviors. I used to enjoyed working out, but when I reached 250 pounds it became very difficult. Its been a long and hard journey (that I am still on), but I have learned a lot! I have made it past my 50 lb mark (woohoo!!!) with a bit more to go. More than struggling to stay motivated to exercise and choosing the right foods to eat, I have struggled the most with loving myself. I really need to develop this more so that I can reach my goal and stick with it. I want to be an inspiration to others for them to live their best life and in order to do that, I need to first learn how to love myself. I think I good way to help me in this area is by doing the loving kindness meditation exercise. Also, just keep working toward my goal and keeping a positive mind-set. Sometimes I look back at pictures and measurements and physical abilities to do a "self check" and to also show myself how far I have come. I need to learn that being proud of who I am and what I have accomplished doesn't mean that I am a prideful person. Loving yourself is probably just as important as the right amount of calories...
Haddie
The integral assessment is a good tool to use to do a "self check". Life changes, we change, so it is important to do an assessment more than once in your life! My assessment showed that I am very good at loving, serving and listening to others, but it is easy for me to put myself down, and push my needs aside. Over the past couple of years I have changed a lot of my lifestyle behaviors. I used to enjoyed working out, but when I reached 250 pounds it became very difficult. Its been a long and hard journey (that I am still on), but I have learned a lot! I have made it past my 50 lb mark (woohoo!!!) with a bit more to go. More than struggling to stay motivated to exercise and choosing the right foods to eat, I have struggled the most with loving myself. I really need to develop this more so that I can reach my goal and stick with it. I want to be an inspiration to others for them to live their best life and in order to do that, I need to first learn how to love myself. I think I good way to help me in this area is by doing the loving kindness meditation exercise. Also, just keep working toward my goal and keeping a positive mind-set. Sometimes I look back at pictures and measurements and physical abilities to do a "self check" and to also show myself how far I have come. I need to learn that being proud of who I am and what I have accomplished doesn't mean that I am a prideful person. Loving yourself is probably just as important as the right amount of calories...
Haddie
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
suBtle mind
This mental fitness exercise was very interesting and much easier for me to do than last week's Loving-Kindness exercise. I didn't get frustrated by my lack of control of my thoughts. I acknowledged my thoughts and let them pass. I had to "bring myself back" several times, but as the exercise went on my focus and control got better. It was interesting to be witnessing my thoughts instead of being attached to them. This is what made it so much easier to let the thoughts go; I wasn't attached to them. This is an exercise that I can see myself continuing to do. I struggle with an ever-wondering mind and often am so overwhelmed by the amount of mental chatter that I cannot accomplish anything and I don't sleep.
Spiritual, mental and physical wellness are all interconnected. As I have talked about before, this can be seen in my life with my weight "issues". Its a vicious cycle: I felt a spiritual darkness and was very depressed and anxious, this triggered my mind to find comfort and happiness outside of myself. I responded to this with food and material possessions. I would eat food that wasn't good for me and feel guilty, then get more depressed, or buy something that I couldn't afford or didn't need, and regret it, and so on and so forth. The cycle must be stopped! By focusing on healing the spiritual darkness within myself, I no longer felt the need to comfort myself with things and food. Without that, there was much less guilt and stress. By being able to control my actions I felt more in control of my thoughts. I felt more fulfilled spiritually, made better choices for myself physically, and my thoughts were much more positive. These three aspects are what makes us human; there is no separating them. Finding a way to balance the mind, body and spirit will lead to a healthy, flourishing life!
Haddie
Spiritual, mental and physical wellness are all interconnected. As I have talked about before, this can be seen in my life with my weight "issues". Its a vicious cycle: I felt a spiritual darkness and was very depressed and anxious, this triggered my mind to find comfort and happiness outside of myself. I responded to this with food and material possessions. I would eat food that wasn't good for me and feel guilty, then get more depressed, or buy something that I couldn't afford or didn't need, and regret it, and so on and so forth. The cycle must be stopped! By focusing on healing the spiritual darkness within myself, I no longer felt the need to comfort myself with things and food. Without that, there was much less guilt and stress. By being able to control my actions I felt more in control of my thoughts. I felt more fulfilled spiritually, made better choices for myself physically, and my thoughts were much more positive. These three aspects are what makes us human; there is no separating them. Finding a way to balance the mind, body and spirit will lead to a healthy, flourishing life!
Haddie
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