Unit 10 post

Hi,

None of my numbers have changed. I don’t believe my numbers would change that quickly. Change is a process for me so I believe it would take me some time to move those numbers up.  I am honest with my evolution so I feel as if I would be lying if I said these numbers has changed. I have put many systems in motion for my personal growth. I have stuck to eating properly and started meditation and praying every day. I am still getting the motivation to work out every day. I have also started reading several books and am actually going to a Buddhist temple for my first session on this Friday. I believe by having the knowledge and seeking my resources I am moving toward my goals. I have not found a therapist and spiritual guide yet but I am currently looking and keeping my eyes open for guidance. I do believe this course has put me on the path to developing my well being. I have learned so much about people and myself that I didn’t know before. I feel like now I have the tools to live a peaceful life whereas before I only thought I did. I think more than anything this course made me see flaws in me that I did not know where there. Maybe not flaws but areas that need attention that I have ignored and gave me a way to address the issues and a plan of action. I think what has been most difficult is allowing my mind to let go in meditation because I am a thinking and worrier so this has been my life. It will also be the most difficult thing to fix. I think learning these skills will help me show clients where and how to start the path to human flourishing and living happy stress free lives.

Ebony

Unit 9 Post

I. 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?

There are many that believe that you can’t truly understand or teach something until you have experienced it yourself. Now I believe this depends on the situation at hand but in regards to health and wellness professionals I truly believe now that practicing what you preach is important. In regards to psychological development we must keep ourselves mentally stable and healthy in order to help clients. We also need to develop this area in order to not become bias to new ideology and advances in our profession. “That means the holder of the tool kit, the practitioner himself or herself must enter the transformative process, we must change ourselves if we are to change the medicine we are practicing (Dacher, 2006).” 

Spiritually it’s important to be educated and open minded to different spiritual practices so that we can customize growth plans for our customers. Having a sense of belief with something beyond themselves gives a sense of hope and compassion. Physical health is important as healthy living as it aids in stress management, disease, and helps us stay centered. This also sets an example for clients and gives motivation and encouragement. Physical and spiritual developments are areas I need to grow the most in. Being overweight puts a strain on my body and mind. I feel like I can’t focus and it affects my self-esteem. Not being physically fit affects my sleep and energy levels. Recently I have adopted clean eating habits and working out. I plan to continue until I reach my goal and from there to maintain a healthy way of living. Spiritually I need to read more and find more spiritual counsel to guide me down my path of grown.

II. Assessment:

 How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically? 

            Psychologically I would rate myself a 6 just because as someone diagnosed with depression this is a constant struggle. I no longer take medications so my mental health is solely up to me. Many times I fall inside of myself and this isn’t good for depressives.  Physically I would say I am a 4 because I am overweight and have high blood pressure. I have recently made life changes where I am losing weight every week and eating health. Spiritually I would also say I am at a 6 and this is simply do to fear and skepticism. My goal is to reach a 10 though I believe we are all constantly growing so by no means does this mean I won’t need to grow. It simply means the needs will change again with a new set of goals to reach within myself.

III. Goal development:

List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.

Physically- To lose at least 2 pounds a week until I reach goal weight of 150 pounds.

Psychological- To journal thoughts and feelings every day no matter what

Spiritually- To make meditation/prayer apart of daily life.

IV. 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. 

            Spiritually- Seek several aspects of spiritual counsel and knowledge. By doing this I will  

Have a guide to my spiritual path who can give support. I will also make it a point to have silent prayer every day and read on different spiritualties. This will not help with my mental state of mind but will also help me to connecting to a greater power.

Physically- Adopting a high protein, low fat, and low carb heating plan. Eating clean and organic foods from a nutritionist and recording a food diary every day. The second example would be using exercise programs designed by professionals who will monitor my results and make changes when needed. Working out an hour a day 6 days a week.

Psychological-Going to therapy at least once a week and group therapy once a month.

Finding outlets and hobbies are important so for me that is playing my guitar. Playing my guitar every day for an hour. 

I. 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 plan to create a system of personal development for myself based on my diaries I will be keeping. I have already created a happiness chart and on that chart it assesses my physical, spiritual, and psychological growth. What I have done is assessed where I am now on all of these levels. Change is hard and the reading stated "As I write this final chapter, I am painfully aware of the gap between this lofty vision and the reality of our life and our world.  Biological imperatives still have the power to pull us back to preoccupation with survival and physical needs.  Psychological conditioning can easily force us to live more instinctually than intentionally.  It is difficult to clear a new path.  Yet, here and there, we must remember to take a deep breath and to focus inward in order to remember who we really are, why I am compelled to write this book, and you to read it (Dacher, 2006).” Over the next 6 months I will continue my plan of personal growth through therapy, a new healthy lifestyle, and spiritual counsel. I plan to review these with my support systems in each area such as my psychologist, personal trainer, and spiritual adviser. I also plan to study integral health and development on a deeper level to truly understand and implement its practices into my life. Implementing loving-kindness, subtle mind, and visualization practices every day. I believe by doing this I can achieve a life of happiness and wholeness.

Thanks,

Ebony

 

 

 

 

Unit 8 Post

Hello Class,

I think loving-kindness and sublet mind would be ones I would practice the most. I have issues with focusing, quieting my mind from other thoughts and holding on to anger. I think the loving-kindness mediation is good for taking things beyond me.  My grandmother always says when you are at your lowest then go do some volunteer work. The loving kindness exercise makes you focus on something other than yourself and then send love and light to those that are suffering and need that energy.  The subtle mind exercise I need because I tend to have racing thoughts. They are constant and at times I can’t stop my brain from thinking of anything else other than the problem I am having at the time. Sometimes I wish for stillness in my mind and time to do nothing but focus on peace. This seems to be the hardest thing in the world to do. So I think in doing this I will attempt to master a weakness in myself. I think practicing one of these meditations daily will help. With that in mind I feel like I will have to write it into my schedule. Possibly after or before my workouts in order to really move forward.  I think in time once it’s become a habit using these twice a day would help. Starting my day with a subtle mind meditation and ending my day with loving and kindness. I think it would create balance in my spirit and mind.

Thanks,

Ebony

Unit 7 Post

Hello Class,

Honestly I still have some growing to do because I could not do this meditation. I did this twice and with different people. The first feeling I felt was partly selfish and ego because it was guilt. I felt like I should have been thinking of my father. I went to Malcolm X first and then Gandhi. I could not become someone else even in meditation. I tried my hardness to get the visualization, different things from them, and try to see myself as them. There was nothing in me that could. Though I can see where respecting, understanding, and thinking of someone else would help in this exercise. I have to be honest in saying I could not complete this meditation successfully. 

I think the statement is simply about struggle and experience. Not to mention that it’s good to practice what we preach when dealing with patients.  For instance meditation in my view is something we have to practice and walk through to truly convey how the experience it and how to guide someone through it. I do believe I have these obligations of having the wisdom and knowledge to aid as a tool in their development as they have reached out to me for that guidance. I think taking the methods learned in this course and making a plan to do it daily. I think constantly reading, growing, meditating, letting go, and knowing my stress trigger will all be things I try to do from now on in order to grow psychologically and spiritually.

Thanks,

Ebony

Unit 6-Exercises for Mind-Body-Spirit Wellness and Healing

Hello Class,

I will start with the exercise first which was the loving and kindness meditation. You had to lay down and repeat the same mantra over and over again while visualizing.  It was a weird experience mainly because at first I felt a sort of sadness because I felt as if I was reflecting on the suffering.  So I began to try vision that freedom from suffering and I felt my sadness lift. I actually saw myself helping others in becoming health, happy and whole. From there I felt a sense of vanity as if it should not have been a feeling for me. I had to redirect my focus and feelings for everyone else. It was a different experience. It left me feeling as if I had reflected on myself and how I should be doing more. The assessment started with a meditation on what part of me is the source of suffering.

 The second aspect was to ask myself what ready of my life is ready to grow and develop. This one really made me look what I need to be doing and want to be doing. Also giving me a greater insight to what could be the cause as well. This one reminded me of a therapy session for some reason. Seemed like a counseling more than a meditation. One thing I realize is the source of a lot of my suffering is fear.  On almost every level I can think fear has had a hold on me. I have decided to work on that fear sense I feel it to be the biggest part of my life that brings me suffering. I think I can spiritually, mentally, and physical flourish by finding he proper methods and tools to conquer fear. I believe strongly in knowledge so I plan to start my reading different books on fear and overcoming it. I also plan to speak with my spiritual guide and possibly even a therapist about it. I thinking taking martial arts and studying yoga more are other areas I will dive deeper into in order to help me develop through this issue.

Thanks,

Ebony