Beneficial

The two that I found most beneficial to me is Love and kindness and the visualization.  The love and kindness is something I needed to work on anyway especially since my job requires me to deal with upset people most of the day.  When I am upset my tone changes and people can tell and then they are on the defense, but when I am able to stay calm so are they.  I am constantly reminding myself that just because I think something is common sense doesn't meant he rest of the world does too.  Hard truth to realize but it something I am working on.  When I am at work getting upset I usually do some deep breathing and remind myself to show love and kindness and it will actually help myself feel better.  It is very difficult not to be on the defense but I am working on it.

Visualization is something I use with a breathing exercise I do that I think I have mentioned in here before, 4-7-8 breathing exercise?  You breath in for 4 seconds and visualize a white light coming into you body through each breath and picture the white light healing and doing good, then hold you breath for 7 seconds, and visual a relaxing place, then blow out for 8 seconds ( not easy to do!) and while blowing out visualize a black cloud, this is you ridding yourself of unwanted bad feelings, stress, disease or illness and such, and I do this throughout the day and repeat as many times as I feel necessary to calm me.

learn by example

I liked the meeting Aesclepius.  I found it hard to picture someone in my life right now that is my mentor.  I am not sure if this is because I am so bust with work, and school, and kids that I don’t have time to get out much or what, so I made a person up and it made me feel warm inside to have someone that I could connect with.  I did think of a really good friend that I talk to every day that I am glad I have and can call and tell all my problems and complaints to and he always has words of encouragement and tells me not to give up, that I can do this.  He always says how proud of me he is, which always makes me feel good.  I believe it is good to reflect on people that are inspiring and what you have.  It is a good idea to have someone you can vent to that won’t hold anything against you, it is good to talk things out especially with someone positive, this is part of my daily ritual. 

I do believe one cannot lead another where one has not gone himself because if he has no idea how or what to do then how can he tell someone how to do it.  I always say experience gets you everything, you may not have right credentials but if you can tell someone your own experience it is more believable to them and they are more likely to try it.  I can implement daily growth in psychological and spiritual by meditating, running, listening to music, and just listening to quiet.  The quiet always amazes  me, its amazing what one can do with a clear mind!  A person can tell if you are mentally and physically fit, they are more likely to do it if they see by example that it works.

integral assessment

Through doing the Integral assessment I feel that right now I would have to say biological is my area of issue, but that is because of tremendous amount of stress with work and school and kids.  I broke out in shingles last week, which I have never had before but now I have an all new respect and understanding for my patients.  I chose to take 3 classes and work full time this semester and try to be single mom.  I have to say the stress is taking a toll.  I did this because I am determined to get this degree done and I want to finish ASAP, but I found it is more detrimental to my health.  I actually think the only way I am surviving is this class is through the exercises required for me to do, so I may do the assignments, so in a way this class is the life and the death of me!  I enjoy Integrative medicine with a passion and in the future will absolutely work in the field of integral medicine.  I love it and see what a difference it can make in peoples’ lives if we can just get them to hear what we are saying and drop all their preconceived notions.  I need to meditate every morning as well as exercise.  Exercise has went by the wayside for this semester related to lack of sleep and class demands but I know these things will get me back to where I want to be, ruling the world!! I am the “girl on fire”!!!!  I must have faith in myself, I have to love thyself first then love others to be successful.

It's all connected

I didn't see much difference in the subtle mind and the loving kindness.  The love and kindness talks about loving yourself first but essentially they are all a form of meditation with just a little different thought process. 
Spiritual, mental,  and physical health are all connected, you cannot have a deep spiritual connection unless you have mental clarity.  I had major issues last week and it showed.  I was sick with a cold, my lap top died, then my router died and I still had to work and take care of my children.  I was so stressed about everything and getting my work done for school that this week I broke out in Shingles!!!  You would think after all that I might would throw in the towel but I have been staying positive and telling myself it will indeed get better.  I have taken pride in working full time and going to school full time and still making A's but this semester I will accept getting through in once piece.  I have made sure I am doing my exercises since that decreases stress and drinking plenty of fluids.  I wish you all luck in the next 4 weeks!  It shall be interesting!  I am most definitely learning a lot!