Last.. But not least!!

Well it's the final blog of the semester and  it's been real!  :-) This semester has had it's ups and downs, and I have learned a lot about myself and what I wish to achieve. 

I did not take part in Unit 3 so I have no prior audit of myself to go off, so I'm pretty much going to sum up my mental, physical and mental well being right now. 

When I first started this class I had thought of a few goals that I wanted to accomplish.  I wanted to be less stress filled, a few pounds lighter and overall a happier person.  Out of those 3 goals I accoplished 2.5% of them.  I've been working out more, I'm happier.. but I didn't accomplish the meditation side of the house. 

I just could not sit myself down long enough to achieve that ephoria that everyone talks about.  But just because this class is over, that doesn't mean I'm not going to attempt it again.  Hey, if at first you don't succeed; try, try again.  :-) 

But to summarize my thoughts and my accomphishments these past 10 weeks; I am a generally happier person, I'm not trying to have as much as stress in my life as I've had in the past years. I know now it's not really ideal and it ages you.  (Hey it's cheap Botox) I really want to live a happy and healthy life; and it's all within my reach!! 

The Final Project

• Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically? What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself? To be able to teach someone else to live the calm and serene lifestyle people will want to be taught by someone who has learned all aspects.  The do as I say, not as I do mentality doesn’t work in this area.  As for myself I need to work in physical and spiritual health. 

•     How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?  During the last 8 weeks I have made a few discoveries about my health and myself overall.  My physical health is not terrible; I can always stand to run a couple extra miles each week and lay off some caffeine.  My spiritual health is very lacking these days; I grew up in church and I remember how happy I’d be while I was there and how I felt when I went.  Psychologically … I’m happy, I have my days when there have been better days, but overall I’m happy.

• 
  List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual. I going to start working out more each week.  Going to church more than I have been.  Taking more time out each day and having a little me time, so I can sit in a quiet room.

•  
What strategies can you implement to foster growth in each of the following domains; Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual. Provide at least two examples of exercises or practices in each domain. Explain how you will implement each example. For my physical health I’m going to go to a class either spin or aerobics .. That way I have some time with other people and still get an awesome workout.  I can also lace up my Nikes and hit the pavement. My psychological health I found a class that teaches you how to meditate (I’m even bringing a friend) and that class starts this Tuesday! Plus I can re-read my textbooks from this class. For my spiritual health, I’m going to start looking for local church or if I can’t make it I’m going to start reading the bible more. 

•    How will you assess your progress or lack of progress in the next six months? What strategies can you use to assist in maintaining your long-term practices for health and wellness? Well when it comes to physical health I’m going to notice that in my waistline, if I keep going and doing the classes and running those extra miles I’ll be a few pounds lighter.  With my mental and spiritual health, I think I’ll notice it because I won’t be as stressed out and overall happier with everything that is going on in my life.  I’ll smile more and have less arguments with my spouse or other people in my life. 

•  

    But like everything else in our life; we do fall off the wagon.  When I do that I’m not going to be hard on myself, but just pick myself up and try it again.  

Which one worked?

I've attempted all the forms of meditation in this course, and I have not been able to sit still long enough or clear my mind to practice loving-kindness or clear mind.

Well I'm sure all the other practices are just as beneficial they weren't just my cup of tea... I just couldn't settle down and clear my mind for the full affect.  Now I really enjoyed the Visualization exercise.. I enjoyed thinking about good times in my life.  That is something that I need to do more often; think about the good things that go on in my life and not just think of the negative days.  

It's not really my thing!

This past week as been rather productive and I have discovered a few things about myself; first off I am not ready to practice loving kindness and secondly ... I really do need to find away to try.

Multiple times this week I tried to sit down and relax and slip into a mediative state.. it was a BIG NO GO.  I'm open to any suggestions on how I can attempt this. :-)

I actually like the quote "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself"  ... I interpret this quote  as being how can I tell someone how they need to live a peaceful life.. when I can seem to do it myself.  LOL.. Rather hypocritical if you ask me.  So if I find a practitioner that is willing to work with me.. I will take to them a little more if I know they've done the same things.

To get angry or not

It's only Tuesday and it's been a rather productive week, I've had to watch a friendship crumble between two good friends over a trivial matter and then on top of that sit down a meditate and write about it.  LOL  

I managed to find a quiet place and sit down and meditate for a little while today.  I turned off the TV and the lights and lighted a candle; I then laid back on and relaxed.  I thought about people I have made angry, people who have made me angry and things that I honestly need to take care of. 

By practicing meditation and being able to keep a clear head I'll be able to relax and not take other people's ignorance to heart.  Just brush it off. I honestly wish I could do more of that.  LOL 

Teflon Thoughts..

Well this past week has been on heck of a week!  My inbox at work is almost cleared out and to think I wanted to just clear it out by doing the unethical way and tossing it in the waste bin!  Wishful thinking!  :-)   Just keep telling myself that Rome wasn’t built in a day. 

I live in a very … um.. busy home.  J  You would find a needle the haystack before finding a quiet place to meditate; so I tried a different method this time around. 

I attempted to practice the Loving Kindness method and the Subtle Mind by going for a run in a quiet park… the park was active with other people.. But it was quiet, I was able to find some peace with everything that has been going on in my life and see some good in it and I was able to let some of the trivial things go. 

When we where tasked last week with the Loving Kindness meditation I was not emotionally and mentally ready to let go of the stress that I had in my life, I had entirely too much going on in my life, I needed that stress to keep going and get things complete.  This past week I was playing catch up on everything that I had ignored while I was home dealing with family issues; but this weekend I was able to let some things go while I went for a run in the park, I made peace with my Grandmother’s passing and my letting my almost perfect GPA slip (that has never sat well with me) and I know I can’t always keep a perfect grade and I’m just going to have to deal with it and keep on moving… So I can say I did a little bit better with the Subtle Mind meditation.  J 

Trying to pratice loving-kindness

This has not been a week that I would normally want to talk about with other people, but with ths week's reading and blog assignment it almost seems necessary. 

My maternal grandmother passed away last week after being ill for the last 18 months, so I had to take emergency leave and be with my mother during this hard time.  So on my way back to Virginia Beach the other day I finally had a chance to catch up on some reading and I attempted to meditate for at least 10 minutes; I couldn't do it!!  I couldn't get my mind to stick to the plan and all it wanted to do was think of everything that I had to catch up on.. work and school .... it was almost overwhelming.  I had thoughts of dropping classes this semester and then thoughts of just put your big girl panties on and suck it up. 

I honestly enjoyed everything on our reading list this week and I will continue to practice on the meditation!!    Hey you’re only defeated if you admit to it right.  J

Ready ... Set ... Go

Happy Saturday everyone!!

I've never done a blog and this will probably be the hardest thing I've had to do for a class .. but I'll try my best! :-P

I honestly believe that I will benefit from this class not so much my GPA but for my own personal sanity!  Looking forward to these next 8 weeks!

Best wishes!!!
Jessica

"A fool thinks himself wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool."
~William Shakespeare