We are supposed to compare how we rated ourselves in Unit 3 and how we think we have improved. I rated myself about an 8, and I feel I'm pretty much still about there, but I am a work in progress. Life has brought me so many experiences, and has taught me so much. I am a life-long learner, and hope to continue to keep learning, and keeping an open mind about new concepts such as spending time meditating.
One area that I really wanted to improve is taking more time to just do nothing but read and pray more, which I am slowly getting to. In the middle of this term, I moved from one state to another, started a new (and very challenging) job, along with taking three classes. I don't fill my day with meaningless things, such as watching TV or shopping. So, with all that we have learned, I am happy to schedule more time to slow it down a bit, as my mind is just about in overload mode. I have really enjoyed all that I have learned in this class!
Cheers!
Rebecca :-)
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Unit 9 Project
Unit 9 Project:
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?
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?
We need to be grounded and
relatable to our peers and patients.
This brings understanding and patience.
I need to develop the consistency in spending time meditating daily. I am so busy that I find it hard to find time
just to breath.
II.
Assessment:
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
I
have tried to spend time talking with my husband about the areas that he sees
in my where I can improve, along with those areas that I know I am lacking,
such as spending time in a quiet place focusing. I feel I am only a work in progress in my
spiritual life, and that will always be the case. I always try to be close to God in prayer and
my daily walk. I try to eat better and
feed my mind only “good” stuff, which means very little TV time and media
exposure.
III.
Goal development:
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
In
the physical, I am trying to set aside time to work out daily – at least ½ hour. For the psychological, I am reading more to
improve my self-esteem. For my
spiritual, I am focusing on more quiet time for prayer.
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.
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.
Physical: write down my goals and look at them daily,
putting a plan into action, such as working out and eating right. Psychological: spending time to focus on my inner-self by
reading and talking issues through with my mentors. Spiritual:
writing down what my goals are and praying through them each day.
V.
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?
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
have logged a goal board to bite off the goal in bite-size pieces that are
reachable and attainable. When I reach
those goals, I will give myself a small reward. My husband also knows what I want and he is a great encourager.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Unit 8
This week we are supposed to choose two of the types of exercises we like the most. I chose visualization and loving kindness. I found they are the easiest and most relatable exercises for me to do. I like the visualization because, when I get really stressed, I can stop and focus on a memory that helps me clear my mind. The loving kindness exercise is great because I should be able to use that exercise at all times, anywhere, putting it into a daily practice. Prayer is still my best form of meditation, and have been practicing that all of my life. Taking time for ourselves daily is really important, even though I will admit I don't do it enough. We are always a work in progress. It's the journey that counts.
Until next week, my friends!
Rebecca :-)
Until next week, my friends!
Rebecca :-)
Monday, June 4, 2012
Unit 7 Meeting Aesclepius
The exercise we did this week was very peaceful, especially when I have had a very long, difficult week. By imagining my grandmother rocking on her porch in front of the ocean, I felt I could imagine talking with her and listening to her tell me stories and teaching me her wisdom. Very, very peaceful indeed.
"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself." I can't say that I truly believe wholly in this statement, as a lot of health care professionals have helped a lot of people in many ways, even if they have not gone through the same thing. But there is another side. When someone has been through the same thing we have been through, it is easier for us to relate with them and talk to them, even if they are a total stranger. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to is therapeutic. Keeping an open mind can help us put aside our personal feelings and open up to others.
Rebecca Ott
"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself." I can't say that I truly believe wholly in this statement, as a lot of health care professionals have helped a lot of people in many ways, even if they have not gone through the same thing. But there is another side. When someone has been through the same thing we have been through, it is easier for us to relate with them and talk to them, even if they are a total stranger. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to is therapeutic. Keeping an open mind can help us put aside our personal feelings and open up to others.
Rebecca Ott
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Unit 6 Universal Loving Kindness
While I reapeated this exercise, it really helped me understand that I have to think outside of my own selfishness and self-centeredness. Saying this out loud really helped - there is something when you give positive words of affirmation. I think that when we have been through certain types of adversity in our life, it can help us better understand what others are going through. By putting others before ourselves, therein lies the key to becoming a servant-leader. After reading through our chapters, I am realizing how very little of myself I really know. There is a saying "you don't know what you don't know." I'm glad this material has been able to open our eyes to other possibilities.
Cheers!
Rebecca Ott
Cheers!
Rebecca Ott
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Unit 5 Post:
1. Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle
mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations
etc.
Both of these exercises really helped me focus and calm down so that I can learn to distinguish what feelings I have and where I want to be. The Subtle Mind exercise helps us to realize that this is a daily goal that needs to be accomplished in order to reach a certain mental state. The Loving Kindness exercise helps us to know how to reach back to gain a certain consciousness when we start to slip back to a place we don't want to be. I call this exercise "being in my prayer closet", and have been working towards this state of consciousness for many years. It is definitely a learned experience.
2. Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and
physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal
life.
I truly believe that spiritual wellness and mental and physical wellness go hand-in-hand. One compliments the other. If our bodies aren't functioning correctly, our mind perceives it, and our minds sometimes cannot distinguish the difference between pain and discomfort. So, being able to train ourselves to reach a certain level of awareness can actually help us get through physical discomforts or pains. I believe that my mind is something that needs to be "worked out" no different than my body needs a physical workout. Learning how to be kind, compassionate, loving, and be at peace, helps our body feel physically stronger and more liberated to face new challenges and to keep growing mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Cheers!
Rebecca Ott
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Unit 4: Loving Kindness
I found this experience to be a better one than the others, as I have had the most stress in my life right now than I have ever had in my life. That being said, it was, for lack of a better word, therapeutic for me and really helped me get focused, calmed down, and put back on track. I would recommend this exercise to anyone. I also enjoyed the woman's voice prompting me as opposed to the other man's voice we have been hearing.
A mental challenge is a contemplative practice, where we train ourselves to reduce/eliminate negative thoughts and feelings, which can be destructive to our overall health. I think that we all need to figure out what our triggers are and how to best deal with them. I live on an amazing beach on Lake Michigan, so it's easy to catch a quiet few minutes when I'm really stressed and sit and watch the sun go down, focusing on letting my "crap" of the day roll out with the waves on the water.
Cheers until next week!
Rebecca
I found this experience to be a better one than the others, as I have had the most stress in my life right now than I have ever had in my life. That being said, it was, for lack of a better word, therapeutic for me and really helped me get focused, calmed down, and put back on track. I would recommend this exercise to anyone. I also enjoyed the woman's voice prompting me as opposed to the other man's voice we have been hearing.
A mental challenge is a contemplative practice, where we train ourselves to reduce/eliminate negative thoughts and feelings, which can be destructive to our overall health. I think that we all need to figure out what our triggers are and how to best deal with them. I live on an amazing beach on Lake Michigan, so it's easy to catch a quiet few minutes when I'm really stressed and sit and watch the sun go down, focusing on letting my "crap" of the day roll out with the waves on the water.
Cheers until next week!
Rebecca
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