Monday, September 9, 2013

This is it!!!


Hello everyone,

In unit 3 I graded myself on a scale of 1-10, 6 for spiritual, 4 for physical and 6 for psychological wellbeing.  So far I am on track as I continue to work hard on the goals I set for myself since this class began.

Meditation has been helping me a lot these days in terms of how I control my anger issues around me, both at work and home. Also I am learning to forgive others and learning to be happy with me, irrespective of what is going on around. My spiritual life needs more improvement as I am participating in a lots of church activities, and I am very happy being in the choir and more regular in attending Christian functions and I will rate me 8 for my spiritual life.

I will take the goals I set since the beginning of this class very seriously, although it is hard but it can be accomplished by the grace of God.

Good Luck to everyone, it been a pleasure reading everyone’s blog and responses to my blog as well, God bless you all!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

My Lesson Thus Far


Introduction:
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?
 
  It is important for the health and wellness professional to develop in this three concepts because they can support their clients healing from a place of integrity and authenticity bearing in mind that people are different and so it is not a one fit all program . By practicing what they preach, the Health and Wellness professional is not delivering rhetoric of untried, booked learned information because they have already walked the path of the patient. In fact, the path in the integral model is evolving and so is the Health and Wellness practitioner we are always learning, we are the patients and we are the healers. Recognizing the healer and the patient in ourselves is the balance that keeps the flow of information new and dynamic. It also keeps us humble, never assuming that we are the expert on what is best for our client’s; we can only be a supportive facilitator of the inner healer that is already present within our clients.
To reach my goal in these areas, it is important that spiritual life is grounded, loving the skin that I am in and showing loving kindness to others, whether they are deserving of it or not, the witnessing and subtle mind meditations, I still struggle with the meditation aspect of it, so I tried to hide in one of the room in the house to avoid prying little eyes and pulling from every angle from my children, all I needed was a just a 30 mins.
  My other goal is to make better choices in my diet, get better sleep, exercise daily by walking every day after work around my neighborhood which is very important for me, and also  focus on establishing a new path for my career that is in alignment with how I may better serve  others in my choice of field. Additionally I would like to foster a sense of community around me outside of my work. I believe that developing a practice that extends from the spiritual activities outward to the physical will create the lasting change and commitment that I seek. As I give to myself spiritually, I develop psychologically. My level of intention grows and is fostered to sustain my commitment to my physical well-being. In layman’s terms if I love myself then it is easier to begin to eat right, get better sleep, and create lasting relationships with others.        
 
 Assessment:
 How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
 
     After previously assessing myself, I now see that my understanding and perspective has changed since the beginning of this course.  I believe that spiritually I am a 8 but working to be more than that, as we all grow spiritually. Physically I feel as though I am a four neglected myself and when I am under stress.     Psychologically I would give myself a seven. I based this solely on my current level of self-esteem. Mentally I have experienced times much more challenging than what I am experiencing. There were times when I no longer trusted myself and I needed others to believe in me before I could do so. I am in no way near that state of despair. I am grateful and my mind is my own. This awareness and ability set me in a very good place psychologically. For this I must admit again, I am grateful.
   
  Goal development:
 List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
Eating a balanced diet, taking a walk after each stressful day and talking a class in tai-chi and meditation and then loving up on my bundles of joy (my children).
         
 Practices for personal health:
 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.
 
Exercise would be one of the paramount things for me, to shed weight, after trying many diet pills; I figured nothing seems to work for me, except walking 30 minutes a day.
Tai Chi-  I recently moved to a new neighborhood and I often find this old couples practicing this form of exercise in their front yard, interestingly I like it, so I am reading up on its benefits, then my next step will be to find a place where I be trained.
 Each morning I will dedicate at least 10 minutes for meditation and breathe work. I will use my time to initially focus on my breathing and I will allow my mind to be quiet and still. I will make this time most effective by not setting any expectation for my mind during this quiet time.
My spiritual life is very important to me, I like to know where I will spend my eternity when that time comes, that is why spiritual life is important to me, so in order to strengthen that, I go to church, I am also in the choir and I surround myself with positive things, things that encourages me to be a better person, to myself, my family and everyone around me.
 
 
             Commitment:
 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?
 
I believe that talking one step at a time will eventually lead me to achieving goals that I have set for me, since this class began.  That is not to say that won’t be hic hops on the way, but determination and courage is all I need to succeed.
 

Monday, August 26, 2013

My thoughts!

After reviewing the exercises that I had practiced thus far, my pick that I think would enhance me and my family's wellbeing and also foster mental fitness.

The Mind, Spirit and body are one, in recognizing that there is a higher power, I tend to balance my what I do everyday. Spending my time each day by renewing my spirit and reading the word of God.

The loving Kindness exercise opened my eyes to learning to love others irrespective of how much hurt they caused me and being happy in my own skin. Showing others kindness had helped me in healing the hurts.
 Visualization brought much serenity to my life. I was calmer at handling situations because I have been able to observe instead of reacting. It was a great experience getting to know my guide, inner healer, and gift giver. I feel extremely healthy and happy in my body, mind, and spirit.
I make a point of duty to just walk around my neighbor hood reflect and what I have done for day, if I have impacted someone's life, and then easy off tensions, because I have little children that can easily feed off my tension. Meditation helps me in bringing into harmony my body.

Reference:

Dascher S, Elliot (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. CA: Basic Health Publication Inc.

Monday, August 19, 2013

It gets harder by the day!

The Meeting Aesclepius exercise was kind of easy for me but at the same brought some emotions that left me even more sad. The exercise brought back memories of my older brother that passed away the 30th of April. I remember he was usually the one that cares enough to ask me about how my day was, I often wonder why he calls to check on me that much, but now that he is gone, I crave for him to call me, and it is so impossible and then my mind wonder about my family. I don't think I like this exercise, memories that I want to forget just kept clouding my view. I would rather stick with the last exercise we had   I wish I had spent more time with my brother, I used to be upset with him for been too slow to be upset with anyone especially me  but now I know that was just his decision.

 
The saying “one cannot lead where one has not gone before” means that the blind cannot lead the blind or they fall. . Even if someone has been to somewhere before how can they teach someone else how to get there if they have not made the trip there before? I cant give what I don't have,

Monday, August 12, 2013

A moment of Reflection


                                        

1.       Practice the universal Loving Kindness (meditation) exercise on p. 93.

May all individuals gain freedom from suffering

May all individuals find sustained health, happiness and wholeness

May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering

May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness.

 When I started this exercise, at first I felt it was ridiculous to even do it, but after a few minutes, I started reflecting on what I was saying and I felt a sense of calmness.  Something came to my sub-conscious mind, just few days back, we lost one of colleague at the job, she was a quiet, not much of a talker kind of person, she had a condition that finally took and she left behind a 2yr old child, husband and the sad part was that she just celebrated her 2yrs wedding anniversary and so she pass suddenly. This news brought tears to everyone in the clinic. It brought me a sense of sincerity, and a sense of compassion for people that had in some ways hurt me, with this exercise, though frustrating at the beginning made me to understand that I am me and so I must learn to love, irrespective of who have hurt me or what I have gone through, but first, I must love me and then show it to others as well. Hatred is like a can that is placed in a hot place and it is only a matter of time, before it pops. I sensed an overwhelming peace came upon me and for the first time, I began to let my anger, pain and vengeance roll out me. The bible says “ owe no man, but love”  Imagine an insignificant exercise practice can have an effect on me. I intend to continue with this exercise and hoping that it continues to have the same effect that I felt on Saturday. Love someone, even if they don’t deserve it.

 

2.       Complete the Integral Assessment discussed in chapter 11 (p.115).

I discovered that  after completing the integral assessment, I came to the understanding that  there has to be a balance in everything we do, be it our spiritual, psychosocial and biological aspect of life. I am known to hurde shoes and clothes, even my children have so much stuff, I begin to see it as a sin to acquire all these things, just to please self. The bible said “it is blessed to give than to receive” so I am most of my stuff will be heading to needy. Look at people that are without and be  a blessing.

 

3.       Activities that I can incorporate that will foster greatness to my wellbring would be mediation, yoga, reading my bible and listening to tapes that will encourage me to be a better person. Also walking around my neighborhood had given me an opportunity ( alone time) to reflect and also good decisions that I made stemmed from taking this walks.

 

 

Monday, August 5, 2013

Unit 5 Blog. Wholeness


Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations etc.

The Subtle mind exercise was so much more calming and relaxing to me than the Loving Kindness exercise. One reason that I enjoyed it so much is that I could just listen to the waves crashing and focus on my breathing rather than listen to someone guiding me and giving me instructions. I felt like I was able to transform my clinging thoughts to a witnessing and calming mind. Releasing my mind was exactly what I needed to do and I really felt free and relaxed. There were no racing thoughts running through my head and I was able to be still, calm, relaxed and free. As expected your mind would sometimes wonder away, but you bring it back to subjection . This exercise really made me feel relaxed to a point that I was just tired and drifted to sleep.  I think focusing on breathing helped me stay relaxed and help me from my mind constantly running during the exercise. 

Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.


The connection of spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness is vital for us as individuals in order to experience human flourishing. It is important for one to maintain a spiritual connection to the higher power, which is God, through meditation and prayer.  In doing this it does not only help the individual spiritual connection but gives us a deeper sense of  spiritual awareness but it also helps the mental and physical aspect of the individual’s life. Proper nutrition and exercise are vital for the body if one is to experience physical and mental wellness. However, without a spiritual connection, proper nutrition and exercise alone would not create the spiritual wholeness that is needed for an individual to sustain a spiritual connection. There are few things that are observed when individuals are connected with the higher power. Body, mind and soul are affected with this connection thus spiritual connection relieves one from all forms of diseases. I am one that keeps things in my mind, no matter how long and it lingers until it burst but I am learning to experience peace, forgiveness, tolerant of others and now that I have children, patience and more especially love me.

 

Reference

Dacher, E.S., (2006). Integral Health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA:

 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Training the Mind


We can have it all!! But, only when we re-channel our thought (Loving Kindness)

 

In order to have a full impact of this exercise, one will need to block every thought that suddenly flashes through your mind. I tried many times to be focused but unable to concentrate, first with the ocean-like sound, which sometimes sound like a raging storm to me, at one I was frustrated and often find myself distracted with my own thoughts and flashing issues. This kind of exercise can and will be beneficial to someone that has attained that level of consciousness, someone, that is able to block everything around them and see themselves floating in the air ( a feeling of lightness), I did benefit from it only for  just a short time, much like meditation. For that short period, I had a sense of calmness, maybe because I chose to refocus my thoughts and not thinking about all the chaotic days I had last week. The exercise redirects your tension and encourages you to be positive.


  The concept of “mental workout” is the idea of not just clearing our mind, but training our minds to release tension and anxiety and focus on positive and encouraging thoughts. There are proven benefits of mental workout. Mental training has proven to increase clarity and has shown long term as well as short term benefits. In order to implement mental workout in our own lives for our psychological health and wellbeing we must take time out for ourselves daily in order to refocus our minds (having good thoughts and then taking time to heal and forgive, because unforgiveness is like cancer that slowly takes a sit in our bodies until it claims its victim, so healing the mind is good. According to Dacher “Mental Workout” means utilizing contemplative practices to help tame the mind’s constant mental activities and train it along with opening one’s heart, expanding consciousness, and progressing towards psychospiritual flourishing” (Dacher, 2006).

 

Reference:

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publications Inc.