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
Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI can understand where you are coming from with our meditative exercise this week. I struggled with it and made several different efforts trying to see if maybe it was a time of day or my mindset that was giving me issues but this is just not my type. I think when it comes to your psychological and spiritual life the best thing to do is take it one day at a time. You will find something that works for you and when it does you will be amazed at how much of a positive effect it will help you.
Best wishes,
Amy
Hello Melanie,
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, you are on the right track because you are aware of the changes that you need to make. "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself”. Anyone in any profession should live by this statement or you are doing your clients an injustice. I think that it is next to impossible to give another person direction in an area that you have not experienced or accomplished on your own.
Demetrius Cooper
Dear Melanie,
ReplyDeleteThis exercise was a bit harder for me as well. I tried to think of my gramma. She recently passed away and this was not as easy as I thought it would be. I cried. I had to think of someone that I did not know personally. I thought of Jesus. His teachings of love made me feel good.
I think you are doing a great job at making the changes you feel you need. Simply because you recognize them, and you are trying to be a better you. Sometimes I think that people judge others and label them because they see something they do not like about themselves. If they taught this class in elementary and high school, what a wonderful species we could become!
Hey Melanie:
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've learned about decisions is that when you make one, stick with it. I remember reading somewhere that some of the hardest promises to keep are the ones we make to ourselves. And that's true because there's no one except ourselves to hold us accountable for them. So when you make a good decision for yourself stick with it. Be as good to yourself as you'd be to your best friend.