Unit 5 Post

Well, after doing the Subtle Mind exercise this week, I found it very relaxing.  To me, it was easier to grasp than the Loving Kindness exercise, because you had a main focal point (your breathing).  However, every now and then, for me, anyway, it was a little hard to stay focused (got to love the 4 year old's timing--lol!).  It took me several tries to keep my mind in one place, and not wanting to go wandering.

As for the connection between spiritual, mental and physical wellness, it's simple.  These parts make up what I call "the human condition"--in other words, it makes us who we are.  When one of these parts is out of sync with the rest, all sorts of things can happen, both to the good and the bad end of the spectrum.

Unit 4 Post

For me, this week's exercise was a little more difficult.  When it came to visualizing my loved one and contemplating my feelings, I was fine.  When I got to the part about the loved one who was suffering, and taking in that suffering, I felt a little lost.  I'm not sure if I would recommend this to other people, but those who want to try it should--I just don't think it's for everyone.

The "mental workout" means to exercise the mind, just as we would exercise our bodies to keep them in tip top shape.  Research shows that the more we do mentally, the more results are shown.  Whether it's writing in our blogs and journals, writing poetry, doing puzzles, or even doing something like the exercises for this course--activity will keep our minds sharp.

Each day, I implement a "mental workout" into my daily routine.  When I'm not keeping up with my blog posts or my other course assignments, I lose myself in a good book, or I break out with my puzzle books.  I've even taken to writing poetry every now and then.

Unit 3 Post

After doing what I call my "self-awareness checkup", I would have to rate my physical well-being a 5, my spiritual well-being a 7, and my psychological well-being a 9.  My physical well-being isn't bad, but it could use a major overhaul--I'm overweight, and have arthritis in both of my knees.  I don't really exercise as much as I should, due mainly in part to juggling a crazy work schedule, kids, and school schedule.  My spiritual well-being is a lot better--growing up, I was basically raised in a church, and enjoyed going to Sunday School and worship services.  However, it's been a while since I've actually been to church, and I really should get back into a habit of going (however, I still have a close connection to God).  My psychological well-being has gotten a lot better, although it took a while to get there.  At one point, I would have rated myself a 4, due to issues that I was having with my husband at the time.  In this one area, I seem to have proven the old adage, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"--and at this point, I could probably bench-press an army tank! :)

The goals that I have set for myself in the other areas are to start watching what I eat, and incorporate more exercise into my life, which will help me to not only lose the weight that I need to lose, but it will also help ease the pain in my knees, and make me more able to physically do things with my kids.  I also plan on going back to church, as often as my work schedule will allow me to do.

I really enjoyed doing the The Crime of the Century exercise for this unit.  As I closed my eyes and focused my breathing while listening to this exercise, I could actually visualize the different colored rays of light emanating  from my body.  I really felt really relaxed--my feet actually felt centered onto the floor below my chair.

Unit 2--Journey On

Hello everyone--welcome to my blog (and my crazy life!.....lol).  I have a lot going on--4 kids, school, and work.  There are days that I wonder how I muddle through my stressful day, but I manage it.

I listened to the Journey On relaxation exercise that accompanied this Unit.  I found it very helpful.  Right before I started to work on this post, I had just finished a very aggravating day at work, and I found myself all tensed up because of the stress--I could feel it in my shoulders.  After doing this exercise, the stress decreased tremendously.  This is not the first time I've used this type of exercise, however.  I use a similar exercise when I find myself unable to sleep.  As I lay in bed, I close my eyes, breath deeply, and "shut down" my body piece by piece--first my toes, then my legs, then hips, etc., until I reach the top of my head.  By the time I get there, I'm relaxed, and I fall asleep.