Unit 4: Loving Kindness Reflection

1. Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?

This loving-kindness exercise was amazing, to say the least.  I came to some very surprising realizations during this exercise.  The first part, when we were asked to think about someone close to us, I immediately thought of my two daughters.  I couldn’t help but smile and immediately felt the love and tenderness that I hold toward each of them.  They are truly my whole world.  I was able to focus on their smiles and the love that they return as the sounds relaxed my body.  The sound of the waves in the background are personal and relaxing to me, as I once lived in Hawaii and is the one place I always loved living.  The beach was always my go-to-place to relax and wish to live there again one day.  It was soothing to be able to observe my positive and negative thoughts, to just kind of release them, if only for moments, without any attachment.  I must say, though, it was weird trying to feel love for myself.  I have never really looked at myself that way.  I have always directed feelings of love and kindness toward other and never myself.  The exercise says that you can’t extend those feelings of love and kindness to others without feeling them for yourself first, but I don’t believe that is true.  I think that it is kind of selfish to think you have to be happy to make someone else happy.

 I was very pleased to take in the suffering of a loved one during this exercise.  I have a nephew that is suffering from cancer and is struggling terribly from it.  To think that I could breathe in the bad and breathe out health and joy is merely a wish, but one that I would definitely wish every day if it could come true.  During this part, I love how the flutes played as the waves crashed.  To me, the sound of the flutes almost symbolized healing and it felt amazing.

One surprising realization, the part where it asked us to take on others struggles and suffering, even those who may be enemies, and breathe them in, I found very hard to do.  I’m not a person who hates, but I do have a couple of people that I cannot find it in my heart to forgive or like.  This is where I got selfish and did not want to take on their struggles.  I felt that their struggles were created because of their own selfishness and they needed to find a way to release them.  I refuse to wish kindness and happiness for these people as I feel that they do not deserve it.  I also have too much going on in my life, too many of my own struggles in my family, to worry about theirs.  Mean, possibly, but that is honestly how I felt. 

I would definitely recommend this exercise to other people because it does relax you, it does bring you to a certain place of your own, and it gives you a certain identity in your soul.  Whether you know where you are in your happiness or not, it will bring you there and you get to choose whether you want to change and work on it.

2. What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

I think mental workouts are a way to prime our minds for future development.  It opens our hearts and souls for love and kindness.  It allows our minds to experience wisdom and truth in life.  Mental workouts are proven to expand our minds, allowing endless possibilities in development and allowing relaxation and healing capacities.  The mind is a powerful thing and can be a useful tool when exercised regularly.  It can also reduce anger, hatred, fear, worry and other disturbing emotions while enhancing positive emotions such as love, patience, acceptance and kindness.  Whatever practice you decide to take on to work your brain, it will take discipline, perseverance, and effort.  As with any workout, it is essential to set aside time out of your day to work on or practice it and make it part of your daily routine.  As time progresses, so will your path to human flourishing. 

3. Participate in the Blogs of at least two other students. Provide them with feedback on their experiences. Do you have any suggestions or support for them? How does their experiences compare to your experiences? What have you learned from their blog?

My blog is posted and I also posted on two other classmate’s blogs.

 

Unit 3- Physical, Spiritual and Psychological Goals

1. Based on your reflections, and on a scale of 1 to 10 (ten being optimal wellbeing), where do you rate your A-physical wellbeing, B-spiritual well-being, C-psychological well-being? Why?

Physical well-being:  3. I am very out of shape, overweight and embarrassed of the way that I look.  I don’t like to be seen much and spend a lot of time in sweats.  I feel horrible about myself and know that I have to make a change, but lack the motivation to do so.

Spiritual well-being:   1. I have never been a very spiritual person.  Wasn’t raised that way and never was really interested in spirituality.  I have too many issues and problems with my faith to have any form of spirituality in my life.

Psychological well-being:  7. I have some hurdles that I need to get over to be happy, most of which have to do with my physical appearance.  I have migraines that affect my happiness also.  It tends to take a toll on my psychological well-being.  Other than those concerns, I’m stable and focused. 

2. Develop a goal for yourself in each area (physical, spiritual, psychological).

Physical- I would like to gain some motivation and eventually start exercising so that I can lose weight.  Not only would I look better but I would feel a lot better about myself and my self-esteem would increase.

Spiritual- I don’t really have a goal here.  I’m not unhappy with my spirituality or lack of.  This is a personal choice and not something I necessarily want or need to fix.

Psychological- I think starting with some exercise would get some negative energy out and make me feel a little better.  Also, making sure that I have outlets to vent and get emotions out to keep my emotions stable.

3. What activities or exercise can you implement in your life to assist in moving toward each goal?

I think one of the most important activities that I could implement in my life to help me move toward my goals would be some positive affirmations.  Because I lack motivation and have low self-esteem, lots of positivity and support would be beneficial every step of the way toward my goals.  I would like something or someone telling me how great I am and telling me that I can do it.  Then I could actually implement physical activities.  Start off slow and gradually work my way up to more challenging exercises, making myself feel and look better, and being proud in the process. 

4. Complete the relaxation exercise The Crime of the Century. To hear this exercise, click here. Describe your experience. (What it beneficial? Frustrating? Etc.)

Normally, I like to listen to relaxation audios because they can get me to finally wind down after a stressful day.  Unfortunately, this audio was not one that could do that for me.  It was hard for me to focus on and it got frustrating to listen to.  Frustration started early on in the audio.  The gentleman that was narrating seemed to hesitate a lot making me lose focus of what he was trying to talk about.  Also, when I listen to these things, I like to hear talking as a smooth flow and this was not the case.  The narrator also had my mind wandering off too much trying to focus on images and colors that got me too involved when I just wanted to relax.  I found myself trying to keep up with what he was trying to say more than being able to relax.  This was not a beneficial relaxation exercise for me at all.  I tried to do it again, but within the first three minutes, I had to turn it off.  Sometimes, there are just ones that don’t work, and this is one of those. 

5. Participate in the Blogs of at least two other students.
   Provide them with feedback on their goal strategies. (Would their strategies be beneficial for you? Why or Why not? Do you have any suggestions for them? Would their strategies work for your clientele? Why or why not?)

I participated in two other blogs.

 

Unit 2- Relaxation Reflection

I love listening to relaxation audios.  I have to say though, it was a little difficult to relax while listening to this the first time around since I was sitting at my table, on my laptop.  I had my kids also sitting at the table eating dinner and messing around, so I wasn't able to feel the effect that this audio had the potential to make me feel.  I absolutely loved the sound of his voice and the tones in the background.  I have had a terribly rough day today, so I fully plan on bringing my laptop into my bedroom this evening as I prepare for bed, and letting the audio do it's job.  I live a very stressful life and lately have found it difficult to wind down at the end of the day.  I couldn't be more excited to listen to this audio again this evening for a relaxing night and peaceful sleep.

Unit 2- Welcome!

This is my very first post to my blog/page and I'm not sure if it is going to work correctly.  I welcome all of you to my page and hope that what bit of information that I have on here, you find interesting and informative.  I also welcome any hellos and feedback throughout the course.  I plan on working on an exercise and healthy eating journey while I am going through this class, so please feel free to comment on my posts and offer advice if you have any as I start a beginning and a new me!