Unit 4 - Loving Kindness

I appreciated this experience to reinforce our need to unplug from all those things that keep us attached and drained.  The permission to let go of thoughts, images and feelings was very liberating.  I found the liberation and the suggestion in the book to start with 15 minutes and let it grow from there to be the best benefit for me, especially this week when I have had four very busy, long work days.  I liked the sound of the ocean in the background.  I would recommend this to others because we do need to learn to love ourselves before we extend our love to others.   

Mental practices such as the loving kindness activity or meditation are actions considered as a mental workout which boosts the brain to branch out and form new connections.  Through these of activities such as the loving kindness, we can grow and learn to express ourselves in psychospiritual/psychological flourishing and health.  For me to implement mental workouts to foster my psychological health, I will need to practice.  Making time in a quiet setting that would allow me to fully engage in this activity to get the most benefit is the best way I can improve in these areas.  

 

Have a lovely week, Candii

Unit 3 - Crime of the Century

Well-being:

My physical well-being as a 9.  I am pretty healthy, I don’t think I have had a cold or virus for about 2 years, I don’t take any prescriptions but I wish I could sleep through the night.  Once my 15 year old cat is gone, I know it will be easier to sleep through the night.  She wakes me/us up, not being able to remember where her food and water are we have to take her to them.  She is so healthy other than that, kitty senility.

My spiritual well-being is a 6.  I need to do more to clear my mind and connect with that higher place for myself. 

My psychological well-being  at a 8.  Mixed with not sleeping well, stress at work and days/weeks without the sun have really started to get me down at times.  I used to not have difficulty with the daily gray here in the NW but there are times it keeps me down emotionally at this time in my life.

Goals:

Physical:  I will continue my weekly exercise routine of walking 3-5 miles 4 to 5 days a week with strength training 2-3 days a week.  The days and times will vary based on my homework load and work schedule. 

Spiritual: I will work on my puzzle to clear my mind Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  Time will be dependent on work schedule and homework load, but I will spend at least 45 minutes to clear my mind get out of the intense “work” mode.

Psychological:  I will discuss issue(s) that are bothering me with my spouse so that I don’t keep my mind active with them before trying to go to bed.  This will be a case by case situation. 

I will be mindful in each of these situations (physical, spiritual and psychological) at the moments I am fulfilling these goals.  This will include clearing my mind and put intention into what I am actually doing at that time. 

The Crime of the Century” Experience:

I was surprised by the title Crime of the Century. I connected to the rainbow imagery. I have connected to this type of imagery since being introduced to it through the curriculum of Brian Luke Seaward. I am not sure why I connected more to this rainbow activity, but I have. I use it almost every night after I am woken by my cat to go out. I use the color blue to return to a restful sleep.
 

Good night all, I wish you the best, Candii

 

Unit 2 Journey On

Happy day!  Welcome to my journey through my class Creating Wellness: Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing.  I hope that anyone following my blog will benefit from my experience with me.

I have learned over the last year of attending school that I can be in control of my future.  I felt like I was in control before, but honestly I was not.  I had so many demands on my life, I just went from one responsibility to another.  I have learned to say no and stand up for myself and I survived.  I am thankful that I have had the professors that I have had throughout this experience and the support of my husband and daughter. 

I did appreciate the relaxation exercise and have not been exposed to one quite like that before.  At first I could not stop yawning and the area I selected to lay down in was a bit cold, I should have gotten a blanket.  I was skeptical in the beginning because of the yawning, but by the end I was able to feel revived as it suggested.  I also selected to have those thoughts of being revived rather than giving into my fatigue of being awake since 2:00 a.m. this morning.  This is one that I would have to practice a great deal to feel any increase in body temperature, I am always very cold.  With practice I could be more successful with this type relaxation.

Have a lovely day!