Unit 8

These practices have definitely proved to be somewhat difficult to implement into my life. I just don't feel there is enough time in a day to incorporate everything I need to do. However, I do need to find a balance. In order to create balance, I know these practices need to be incorporated.

I found the Subtle Mind practice to be the most beneficial. Learning to quiet the mind, focus on my breathing, and allow myself to acknowledge each though entered my mind will be very helpful in my daily life. I feel that many times I am out of balance in a day, then the week. Allowing myself to create this time to sit and focus on my breathing will truly be a way for to bring balance into my life. I can't say today that this will happen each and everyday. But as time goes on, I think it will be easier to incorporate on a more regular basis, with hopes of it becoming a daily practice. The goal for this practice would be to generate a more quiet mind that allows me to reflect and balance my life.

I like the idea behind Loving - Kindness. I did not like the practices though. I do sit and ponder loving - kindness. I like that when I realize someone is not acting a certain way (like I want them to), all I say is "Loving Kindness" with a hand gesture that implies I have now bestowed loving kindness on them. I am sure this seems a little unconventional, however, it really brings me back to the present, allowing me to know that I cannot help the way they are behaving and putting me at peace. It also makes me laugh to myself, putting a smile on my face.

Enjoy.

Melanie Davis

Meeting Aesclepius

I don't think I met Aesclepius in this practice. I am truly having difficulty with meditation. I have a very active mind but when I try to "picture" someone it is difficult. I can't really even imagine a person. I see my father, to whom I value and respect. But the image fades when I have to imagine this "light" emanating from them. This type of meditation is not for me. I enjoy the practices when I have to focus on my breathing. That is not something that I have to imagine or picture. It comes naturally. I think I will practice more with that and then move to these types.

Mindfulness has definitely been easy to foster in my life than meditation itself. I am aware of me more than I used to be. When struggling with issues at work, which seem to happen more frequently, I can quickly assess my behavior and thought, easily correcting them. I am definitely able to redirect my thoughts to focus on more positivity about my work by asking what I can do today to serve others. I get so busy sometimes that I allow myself to get up and walk around, clearing my mind and returning back to work more refreshed. The rest of the day goes by a little easier and sometimes, a little more fun.

"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself", this should be posted everywhere! I truly believe in this. I feel guilty when I am not able to testify to something that I have given advice on. During these weeks for this class, I am starting to understand how "green" I am in this field. I am so conscious of my efforts and the changes I have made over the year that when I falter, I tend to judge myself and entering this field. However, I am more mindful of my actions and can only correct them. I want to share with others my journey, struggles and my overcoming the odds so that they can make some changes in their lives. But I have to be able to say "I did do that" to show to them it can be done. Sometimes these individuals have tried on their own to make changes and have failed. If a professional in the same field constantly failed to make these changes, the client will certainly be able to recognize that. Ultimately, one cannot live to serve others in that capacity without having been there before.

I really need to make these changes in my life for me. However, I need to make them today, not keep waiting for it to happen. We have to be the change that we want to see in the world. No matter how hard this may be, I am not where I should be at this point my life with my psychological and spiritual growth. At least I am mindful about this and can only take things one day at a time, incorporating something new each day, each week, each month, and so forth. But where do I start? That's rhetorical but please feel free to advise.

Enjoy,

Melanie Davis

Unit 6 Blog

The universal Loving Kindness meditation practice is definitely something that enjoyed! Of course it was difficult considering I didn’t have the lines memorized but I think over time that will come. I liked it because it’s a way to really consider others, friends, family member, coworkers, enemies etc., and really focus on sending them positive energy. I think this is very important for our self-discovery. If you can wish health, happiness and wholeness to others, why not yourself?

The assessment was easy for me. I’ve been working on something similar to this since April. So it came rather easily. I know where I struggle and it is a little in each line of development. Overall, I would have to say that Biological Flourishing is something that is most important to me and my development, at this time. Because I have Fibromyalgia, each of those areas are very important to managing my pain and flare ups. Any time I fall short in either nutrition or self-regulation, it sends immediate signals to my body, enduring the pain again. Self-regulation is very, very important to my pain management. If I have a stressful day or endure days of prolonged stress, I will then have a flare up. Being able to sit, quieting my mind and body, bringing back homeostasis to my mind/body is about the best treatment possible. I have recently ended a relationship due to the stress and unbalance it was bringing. I am the other person has no idea about this but I try to explain to no avail but I have to move forward and know I did myself a favor. Because of the nutrition and self-regulation, it has allowed me to incorporate fitness. I have lost roughly 20 pounds in a few months making it easier for me to do many things. I also realize that I have limited myself over that past 5+ years. I can do so much more without the side-affects a.k.a. pain. So this year has been great and next year I will focus on another line of development.

As far as exercises, I need to incorporate more Yoga and meditation into my life. Many times it’s the last thing I think of before going to sleep. Then I think what I could have done the day before to assist me in making that happen. So I try but I also try to keep those thoughts at bay because if I am stressed about not doing something then that spirals into a madness that can undo all I have done. So it’s definitely been a battle. I do however walk with my dog each morning and evening and have started incorporating cycling into my fitness regimen. It will all come full circle soon allowing me the time and energy to do what I have set out to do. 

Enjoy, 

Melanie Davis