1. Practice the universal Loving Kindness (meditation) exercise.
I found that using the Universal Loving Kindness meditation was similar (at least to me) to using the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner"), or using Taize prayers or reciting the Rosary. I find that if I use any one of those forms of prayer or meditation, any anger or malice that I might have had towards an individual has been diffused, and in its place is a sense of loving concern, and the beginnings of a sense of empathy and (hopefully) rapport where we can begin to connect as human beings instead of adversaries.
2. Complete the Integral Assessment.
An integral assesment means for me to assess where I am in terms of psychospiritual, biological, interpersonal and worldly development. I'm finding that this is a long term assessment and one that changes on a daily basis. Is there a particular weakness that I'm working on? No, not necessarily for there are many weaknesses in all aspects of my life. I am not perfect - so there is certianly more than enough room for me to grow and develop in all areas and aspects of my life.
3. Describe the exercise and assessment process. What did you discover about yourself? What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development? Why? What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area?
The assessment process that I needed to be more cognatively aware of was my biological development. Fitness, nutrition and self regulation are just three of the areas that could use extra work and attention. For example, since I am no longer working full time, I no longer use the amount of calories that I might have ordinarily consumned... therefore I need to be more aware of what I eat. Using a salad plate instead of a dinner plate gives the illusion of eating a large portion. Learning to say no to seconds is another "exercise" that I can use. The point is that I am becoming responsive rather than reactive to food and it's call to "eat me!"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Carol,
ReplyDeleteI have to constantly work on my biological development myself. I find that I tend to put those needs of mine last, and if someone needs my help, I take care of them and then work on my physical activity and what I am eating. I have found that the smaller plate works great - we eat off of plates that are way too big now a days anyway. I like to have seconds though - I have found that if I eat more fruits and vegetables - especially the vegetables, I can eat a larger volume of food for fewer calories, thereby still feeling satisfied and able to have my seconds.
I wish you luck on your development.
Sarah
Carol,
ReplyDeleteHow do you do it? How can you calm your body and make your mind think softer feelings about something or someone you had anger towards?
It's the sixth week of these classes, and I just can't seem to focus my mind well enough on these activities to be successful. It gets frustrating!
Carol,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts on the personal assessment and I think most of us fall under the category of imperfect, and we can work on a great number of aspects about ourselves. However, you did pick the biological aspect as one that you wanted to share. I am studying to be a nutritionist so this hits home with me. I definitely think you are on the right track. You understand you are not as active as you once were so you are not burning as many calories. You also understand portion control and when to "just say no." The only other suggestion I would give is to maybe evaluate your relationship with food. Do you live to eat? Or eat to live? If food is viewed for what it is (fuel for our bodies) then it is sometimes easier to adjust what and how much we eat. I had a professor tell me a couple semesters ago to imagine our bodies as are vehicle. Would we neglect it or mistreat it and expect it to always run well? No, they are expensive and most do what they can to take car of their means of transportation; it has importance and value to them. I hope that you or anyone else would value themselves more than car and take the utmost care and concern with your own body's health and wellness maintenance. Good luck to you with your endeavors towards your own wellness goals.
Jennifer