Week 3- Where am I???

Where am I ?

My assignment is to "rate myself" and set goals to improve

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being optimal wellbeing

Physical Wellbeing - I would give myself a 6 . I am so much better than I was five years ago.

 I am pleased that I am not on any medications.

However, I am not as active as I was 3 years ago.

 I feel my nutrition is on course however my weight is 8 pounds

 heavier than I want.

I regained 15 with stress, school and the move. I am down 7. 

I am discovering activities that will become part of my weekly routines!!

GOAL-To raise this 9, I need to walk the walk and actually get my booty moving!! I want to add 30 minutes daily to my routine. I am looking into kayaking and walking!

Spiritual Wellbeing - I am a solid 8. I will be a 10 when I leave this world and am at the feet of my Savior. I am doing much better with letting Him be in charge. 

I am enjoy my quiet time but I am usually talking.

GOAL- I want to increase my "listening" time. I need to work on trusting 

my inner knowing.

 I tend to second guess myself. I also want to increase my positive thoughts and self image. God did not make junk!!!

Psychological Wellbeing- This is the toughest one. Our family is dealing with several health issues for both my husband and son. 

I have a positive attitude but live with fear of the unknown.

I have an amazing job that I love. My home is in the perfect place.

 My daughters are happy and I am a blessed Grandma.  

I am going to give myself a 4.8. 

GOAL- I am using all I am gaining in this class with a goal of raising this to a 8!! I want to work on my ability to accept happiness and laugh in the face the challenges we are facing. The issues will remain. The only control we have is how we view it. We need to develop a health relationship with these illnesses!!

Week 3- Journey with color and light

This exercise again was not successful the first time around.

Giving the directions to envision different lights coming from specific areas of my body and representing specific thoughts and concepts felt too much like chakras.

http://www.kushs.net/kaplan/HW420/TheCrimeOfTheCentury.mp3

This was not relaxing.

However, I like the basic idea sooooooo

I went out to the hammock, just after my kayak adventure and did my own journey.

In the warmth of the sun, with the breeze gently blowing I took several deep breaths.

The images I used were the colors as suggested 

but

 I saw them as the light that peaks out from a cloud.

Something sort of like this...

As I am laying in the hammock, I focused on each thought the meditation mentioned.

I feel the red light at the base of my spine. 

This area is where Bill's pain begins. Red is warm.

 Bill keeps me grounded. I feel grounded.

As I move to my stomach. I rest my hands on my belly and feel the breath. 

The color orange reminds me of the Sun. 

It is centered in our universe. I feel centered. 

Next is yellow. This is a happy color. It is the color I used in my wedding. 

Yellow screams love to me. I feel loved. 

The next color is emerald green.

 This is where we were directed to the heart.

 This is Bill's favorite color. I choose to love.

The throat is next with the color aqua blue. 

The concept is purpose and meaning. 

Iam reminded of the six months I did not have my voice. 

Life takes on new meaning when you can not speak. 

My life has purpose!! It is meaningful!!

Next is the forehead and balance.

As I was on the kayak, I was able to get within feet of a beautiful Great blue heron

I would love to say this is him, but sadly I did not have my camera but this is very close to the one I saw.

The indigo blue we are to envision reminds me of this bird.

As he balances on one leg, he is taking everything in within his environment.

 I feel balanced.

The last area we are to focus on is the crown of our head and the color violet.

 Just as I was connected with the heron, I am connect with my world. 

God has placed me right where He wants me. I am connected.

The last part of this exercise was to "wrap ourselves" in the bright light. 

All I can think of is the image of God wrapping His love around me. 

I am never alone. I am always loved.

I am grounded. I chose to love. 

My life havve meaning. 

With Him I am balanced.

Week 2 - Journey of the 5 senses

I am learning to enjoy the little things in life.

 To slow down and actually take a breath and see the world around me. 

Today, after doing some school work and going to the office to catch-up on last weeks file as well as prep for the coming week, I decided to enjoy lunch on the porch.

 As I sat, gently swing in the swing, I could hear the thunder in the distance. 

The really nice thing about living on the lake, is you can see the storms coming. 

We are in a cove called Taw Caw Creek. We are about 20 minutes by boat, off the main body of 

Lake Marion. 

As I enjoyed my lunch, I was reminded of our intro to this week.

 Dr. D. challenged us to use our five senses...this seemed like a wonderful time for that assignment.

 Hearing not only the thunder but the wind and the children playing, I watched as the geese flew overhead. I could see small waves on the lake and the leaves dancing in the trees. The smell of rain mixed with the scent of pine. I could actually feel the temperature dropping from the mid 90s to a cool 80. Yes, it was much cooler. The breeze off the lake added a crispness to the air much like a September day.

 I promise you that my lunch was much tastier because of the coming storm!!

My spirit is lighter and my mood is calmer. 

This was a wonderful way to take a break!

I plan to take this journey often!!!

Week 2 - Assignment- RELAX

This week our assignment is to relax. Sounds easy, right?? for many, including myself, it is not easy!!

I find it hard to focus on just breathing. Guided meditations do help but I still find my mind wandering. This is the one provided in class.

http://www.kushs.net/kaplan/HW420/JourneyOn.mp3

The instructions are clear and the narrator has a soothing voice. 

By the end of the process, I admit I was more relaxed.

I do plan to try this again...in the evening, after a hot bath and maybe with softer lighting!!

I plan to post again this week-end with the results of that session!!!

Creating Wellness

This YouTube video was shared by our professor.
 The class is Creating Wellness. 

       For those of you that I know "face to face", you will understand why I am so excited about this class. Those that I am meeting by way of this class, I am so thrilled that our paths have crossed.

For those I am just meeting by way of this blog...enjoy!!!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzTen_fyP-4

Life is a Journey

Our journey is the path we choose. Today I chose Wellness. 

Wellness is a state of mind ...

It is a way of thinking...

It is the path I am taking!!

This blog is an assignment in one of my classes but it also a new adventure.

I am chosing to share.

I hope you enjoy my ranting and sharing. My opinions and ideas may seem odd...

But for me, this is the fun of the journey!!!