Unit 4 ~ Mental Workout

Well, let me first start by saying that "Loving - Kindness" is so not happening for me this week. I've been in a terrible funk and I know that my overall demeanor has been less than desirable. Why? I really don't know but I know it's been one of those weeks where everyone and everything has irritated me!!! I apologized in advanced to one of my team members in case I was coming across short or snappy. I need to snap out of it. I'll need to re-visit my "Loving - Kindness" practice.....

What is meant by "Mental Workout" is same as a "physical workout". We need to train, strengthen, and develop our minds with the same effort that we put into our physical body. Dacher points out that we neglect our minds. Our minds need the same nourishment and attention that we give to other aspects of our lives. I know that for myself I have never thought of training my mind. I guess I've always assumed that it's there and all the inner networking would take care of itself. I think back to high school and that we didn't learn about any of this. Maybe because it wasn't much researched or even discussed. Or that meditation and other mind - body techniques have not been part of conventional medicine and viewed as hocus pocus. I believe that there has been enough research and evidence to support the benefit of training the mind. It ought to be part of school curriculum ~ incorporate it with P.E.

Unit 3 ~ Reflection

Hey All ~ Unit 3 has been a great one!! I have really enjoyed digging more into integral healing in Chapter 4 and 5. This is some good stuff!!!!

Well let me share my reflections with everyone. This process of self reflection is something that I went through about 4 years ago and in doing so made some very drastic life changes. It was my opportunity to detox my life and get rid of what was bad. This included ending an 18 year relationship with my kids' father, leaving my employer of 15 years, and relocating to an area where I had one friend and no family ~ it was the best decision I ever made. Now don't get me wrong along the way there had been some challenges. For example, after moving it had become apparent that the transition to the south (I moved from Chicago to Georgia) was not good for everyone. My teenage son really began to suffer showing signs of depression. So we (myself and his dad) decided it was best for him to move back to Chicago letting him finish out school with all his friends he had grown up with. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do and in addition this move would separate him and his younger sister. Ultimately, it has worked out. We all miss each other terribly, but we spend a lot of time Skyping and there is a lot of air travel back and forth.

My physical, spiritual, and psychological well - being are in 3 different places in regards to development. First I'll start with my physical. This area was the driving force that made me take my self inventory of my life. At the time, my health was extremely less than stellar ~ I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, was pre-diabetic. In addition, I was morbidly obese. My doctor told me very matter of fact that if I didn't get myself together I wouldn't live past 36....OUCH!!!! Not something you want to hear but it was what I needed to hear. So with that said it was time for a serious overhaul (as I stated above). The night before my 36th BDay I prayed and prayed and prayed.....I also didn't sleep much that night because I was scared that I wouldn't wake up. That was a year after I had moved and I had already began to make some of the necessary changes ~ exercising daily, eating right, began my spiritual healing beginning with my relationship with God. Physically I have come a long way (no more HBP, no high cholesterol, controlled blood sugar, and weight loss of 67 lbs). While I still have a ways to go to achieve optimal health I would say that I am at a 6 on a scale of 1 - 10.

Spiritually I am growing. I do believe that my move 4 years ago was Devine Intervention. There were so many signs in my life that were showing me what was bad and I always chopped it up to coincidence or woman's intuition when now I see that it was God showing me His path that He has already planned for me and all I needed to do was follow. I was stubborn but have since learned to sit still, listen, and receive in store for me. In doing so I have experienced an inner peace, calm, and contentedness that is hard to describe to someone and in order to gain a complete understanding you really do have to experience it. I am still growing and walking in my spirituality and I do fall sometimes. With that being the case I would say that I am a 7 on a scale of 1 - 10 with my spirituality.

Because I have grown in my spirituality I believe that has put me in a better place psychologically. I have a constant peace of mind. Little things that used to stress me out don't even phase me anymore. I don't get angry and I don't argue. Some folks seem to think that is a not so good trait. They might say that instead of me expressing my emotions that I keep them locked down. I have to disagree ~ I am very happy in my life. When I say "good morning" I mean "good morning". When someone ask me how I am doing and I tell them, "I am blessed!!!" that is exactly what I mean. I have come to a place in my life that I keep the negativity away and if someone is around me who is negative I just let them know that they cannot steal my joy. I am sure I sound like I'm skipping around all day long singing "JOY, JOY, JOY"...well, I am!!!! I feel good and am in a wonderful place mentally!!! So here I am giving myself an 8.

Goals that I have developed for myself have been getting physically fit. This plan has been in place for a few years and will continue for life. Right now I am still on track to reach my specific goals and once achieved there will always be the maintenance. It's something I am enjoying and as I reach new milestones I re-evaluate my plan and set new goals with new rewards. For example, I will be going to Montego Bay in July for some "me time" to enjoy the beach and the sun!!! It's been a long time since I have even thought about going to a beach!!! Spiritually I will continue to feed my soul with the Word. Everyone has a different walk with God and I am doing just fine with mine.

The Rainbow Meditation drives me nuts. Although his techniques work very well in getting you into a relaxation state his voice annoys me. Maybe it's because I typically like to meditate with my own voice internally and my own thoughts. Not someone prompting me to do so.

Everyone have a blessed evening and see ya' on the discussion board and seminar!!!!

Kandi

Unit 2 ~ Introduction

Hey all!!! Well we're into week 2 of the class and I am really enjoying what has been discussed in the 2 weeks so far. This class is right up my alley and where I have come to be in my life right now ~ "No Drama, No Stress". Many, many years of stress and not being able to deal with it in constructive ways resulted in destruction on me (all areas of my life ~ health, family, friends and ect). Through Divine intervention, about 3 years ago I was faced with the need to take a self inventory of what was good and what was bad ~ it was time to clean house. A big part of this process was my journey to develop myself spiritually with a relationship with God. I needed to be able to stop and learn to listen to Him because what I was doing wasn't working. It also was learning to focus on what is important and vital in my life and not all the trivial things did not or should not mold me. I am always looking for holistic and natural ways to grow spiritual and am certain that this course is going to provide a great deal of that. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks and sharing many experiences with everyone. Kandi

Unit 2 ~ The Journey Reflection

I have been practicing meditation for about 3 years now. I had been recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and was prescribed pills to regulate my blood pressure. To me that was a sign of defeat. I didn't want to become dependent on a pill to control something that I should be able to manage. My first experience with meditation was from a "how to meditate" quick course online. It went over the basics of how to breathe and focus during the meditative state. I remember sitting in the dark at my computer desk and I began to follow the suggested breathing techniques. If I lost focus I would regroup myself and get back into the breathing. About 15 minutes into it I felt a sense of calm come over me. I felt my body release and sink into my chair. At first I was a bit startled but I didn't let that break my meditation because it really felt good. From that moment on I was sold on being able to use meditation to relax, relieve stress, and to focus during workouts. When I started listening to the Journey my goal was to be able to redirect the blood to my head since I was experiencing a headache at the time. I was able to get relaxed using the same type of breathing techniques but for me the voice in the background is distracting. It is a good audio to help someone who needs or likes to have a voice directing them on the "how to's".