Loving Kindness and Integral Assessment

Hello all!

Upon trying the exercise on page 93, I found myself very distracted.  I was repeating the phrase, but had to keep reading it to remind myself of what to think.  Also, when! I got away from reading the phrases over and over and I was repeating the phrases I very easily would change my thoughts!  I am finally getting the hang of a guided meditation.  By getting the hang of it I mean allowing myself to relax and follow through.  Therefore, this mini practice will certainly take some more practice

Reflecting upon the second exercise I have decided I need to focus on the psychospiritual growth.  The conative aspect of psychospiritual is partially driven by education.  Finishing my education is very important to me.  I would like to continue on to graduate school.  However, I have been going straight through for almost two years now with no adequate breaks, just the week or so you get between classes.  With my hectic life of being a wife, mother, employee and student I am starting to get burnt out!  I know several of us here at Kaplan have these same issues, which is why we have chosen online classes.  I strived for perfection when attended my first tow years at a typical university, and also my first year and a half at Kaplan.  Now that I am in the home stretch, perhaps a year to go, I am finding it harder to push through! :/

-Justina xo

Loving Kindness

Hello all!

My experience with this exercise was not a high-quality one.  I was distracted and the constant silence, except the waves in the background, it kept my mind wandering.  I think the concept of a mental workout is excellent; however, this exercise was not for me!  I think perhaps it was the voices.  The gentleman's voice in the beginning was not relaxing, which set me in the wrong direction, straight away from the beginning.  Nor was the woman's voice that spoke for a large duration of the exercise, she reminded me of something I would hear on a science video. 

I would not suggest this exercise to others, but I would suggest other exercises like it.  I had a professor (here at Kaplan) who had the most relaxing voice, even in seminar he was relaxing, he should make a video.  Perhaps with a visualization as well.  Nothing distracting, just movement on your screen, so if your eyes open there is something soothing to look at.  A screen saver of sorts.  

Despite how I felt about this exercise, the purpose of a mental workout that is compatible to you is a good one.  A mental workout in which is a good fit for you will make you become mindful, reduce stress and improve your quality of sleep.  

-Justina xo

The Crime of the Century?

Again, the same as everyone else I am NOT sure where this title came from.  Typically, I have a hard time relaxing because I do not have time for it.  However, I forced myself to participate int his exercise and try to relax.  This is a time of day in which I have a few moments to spare, nap time and my oldest isn't home from school yet.  I was able to relax and follow the instructions of the voice.  I could actually feel the sensations in the spots of the body he was speaking of.  I am proud of myself for being able to achieve this!  I believe this is the first time of many exercise techniques in which I was able to successfully complete the exercise.

I believe I would like to use some of these guided imageries and meditations when I begin performing hand and foot reflexology on people.  It might help them relax.  I know when I get massages one thing I am always being told is, relax!

-Justina xo

Well-being and Goals

Hey y'all!

At this current state in my life I would rate my physical well-being at a 6, my spiritual well-being at a 7 and my psychological well-being at a 6.

Last year I would have rated my physical well-being at an 8, and I am currently working towards that again...of course with the overall goal a 10!  During the 2013 holidays I let pies and cookies combined with a lack of exercise get the best of me.  Don't get me wrong I am a very active person with a high metabolism, so some people did not even notice.  But I noticed and when I came to the realization at what happened I was very upset with myself!  My goal is to become a runner.  I can do cardio activities for an hour at ease.  However, I cannot run for 10 minutes without wanting to stop.  Next fall I want to run in the Akron Marathon-relay.  This may be a difficult goal to achieve because I would also like to have baby #4 next fall.  

I would always rate my spiritual well-being at a 7.  Spiritually I do not change often.  My relationship with God is constant and is never altered.  I take my children to Sunday school; however, we are often too "busy" to stay for church.  My goal is to stay more often...at least every other week :)

Psychologically I rate my self a 6.5; 6 seemed too low and 7 too high.  I have a wonderful, supporting husband.  However, he works a lot and this causes a lot of stressful time issues for me.  Our social life is lacking because of his schedule.  When we do get a babysitter for our children we just want to enjoy each others company.  Often times when friends ask us to do something they want it to be kid free, sorry folks these kids are our lives!  We can't just push them off on a babysitter all the time.  

I do deal with stress well, but I am always rushing around.  Between school, homework and work, and the kids school and homework and extracurricular activities and exercising and cooking meals and packing healthy lunches for everyone and family events, it is a constant, constant rush.  I am not sure how to reach my goals for psychological well-being because most of my lack of well-being is a time issue.  My husband keeps reassuring me his work schedule will not be crazy forever; we have high aspirations for a positive change next summer.  Then when this happens I will have help in the evenings, and will be able to participate in some adult extracurricular activities, being that I will have help.  Also, our social lives will also become better.

-Justina xo