This class has re-inspired me! I have sought a "deeper meaning" my entire life so much of this is nothing new. I believe we are absolutely what we eat. I believe we were made to swim like fish and run like deer (IOW---keep moving) and eat like squirrels (squirrels eat chocolate right) ;-) I believe we can heal our own minds with "right" thinking, rest, emotional support and self love. I believe that the last thing we need are "happy pills". I believe that God/spirit surrounds us.
So, while I loved this class and would love to talk about these things for at least a year, it didn't really "change" me, but it did help me to grow. I am now taking yoga (OMG----I'd rather ride my bike 60 miles---yoga hurts!) & if it's hard, we need to do it! I am meditating every day! I just talked to a friend who returned from a week long spiritual retreat in Nevada. He told me to take a deep breath, say for an 8 second count, hold it for 8 seconds, release for 8 and then try to "stay" there for 8. Repeat time after time... (Remember Smurfs?) yep...it's like that... AMAZING though, the more I practice it and the more I don't allow myself to freak out those last 8, the easier (and clearer minded) it/I get.
I was having trouble sleeping this winter and started taking Melatonin. Melatonin gives some people really bad headaches. This took me months to figure out, but I threw it away and now when I can't sleep, I do the deep breathing practice and I go right to sleep. Also---do you know, it's really hard to cry when you force yourself to take deep belly breathes? Not that crying isn't good sometimes, but you can calm yourself during the most difficult of times by breathing. I took breathing for granted before, unless I was being athletic. This class has really made me examine the wonderful benefits of breathing.
Mostly, I believe that we grow until we die if we are wise. Those who think they "know it all" or have "arrived" are missing out on so many more lessons, so much more wisdom. I "plant seeds" everytime I get opportunity & I am getting skilled at doing so in the subtlest of ways. People do nto want to be "told" but they will accept gentle persuasion & they will listen to someone elses less-than-ideal experience if they can glean a nugget to use in their own life. So, I think using these concepts professionally will come very naturally for me. It's not so much what we say, but how we say it and it's not what we have but how we live that people pay attention to.
Lifes a dance you learn as you go,
Michelle
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
GROWING
As professionals it is imperative to develop ourselves in terms of mind body and spirit. Integral health is vital to human flourishing. One cannot lead where one has not been. People will follow one who has already walked the path. It is impossible to give a gift that we do not possess. I like to think of it as “planting seeds” in another’s soul. The greatest teachers in my life planted seeds that I could clearly see had come to fruition in theirs.
Assessment of my integral health comes from a place of knowing where I am and imagining how I want to be. I feel great physically, but I want to feel extraordinary. Psychologically I still have “stuff” but I have come many miles from the “me” of yesterday. Spiritually, I’d love to be as evolved as Ram Dass or the woman who wrote “Eat, Pray, Love” but I understand it is about MY journey, MY enlightenment. Who knows? Maybe I will go further than either of them. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being best, I would say I am at a 9 in terms of physical health, an 8 psychologically and a 7 spiritually.
I have started making the changes I want to make physically just this weekend. I had been thinking: “I want to take my nutrition to the next level, an even cleaner, purer level. Then, I went to a seminar at our Natural Food Store this past Saturday. This was hosted by Jordan Rubin (whom I posted about) he wrote “Patient Heal Thyself” and “The Makers Diet” most recently and several others. Google him, his story is remarkable. Anyway, I started a cleanse, along with probiotics, digestive enzymes and a supplement for women. I eat very clean, almost always choosing healthy foods and never processed/fast foods but am now following his book exactly for the 40 days he suggests. This includes NO red wine. OMG!! Just the fact that that seems so over-the-top challenging indicates it is exactly what I need to do though. I have maintained my weight within 5 pounds of my ideal for over 20 years now, but, I am going for ideal, or a few under, rather than a few over.
I am also overtraining, I have always over trained and I hired a very knowledgeable personal trainer to design a program for me that includes being sensible with my time and energy. He and I have talked to great lengths and he understands my “neurosis” (some might call it insanity).
I want to experience a tangible “shift” in my mental need to train hours each day. Fitness is fun for me but, like a child, I pout (internally) when I can’t stay at the playground all day. I also think obsessive thoughts such as; “OK 60 minutes hard cycling is about 600 calories, 600 calories is 1/6 of a pound, etc” I am strong enough to stop that particular chatter left over from my days of anorexia. OK, that is embarrassing to admit but we can’t change what we don’t acknowledge right? I have had that same mindset for 20 plus years now, like a shadow one stops noticing until one is forced (by some class) ;) to think about what one is thinking about! I am also going to take 2 yoga classes a week, which will also replace 2 hours of intense training.
In terms of spirit I have started meditating for 30 minutes each day. I sometimes have to break these up into 2 or even 3 sessions at times but I allow that to be OK. I pray for help with this and one morning after praying I turned away from my big sunshine filled window to lay around another minute and I watched my prayer plant open its’ leaves. Prayer answered! I used that as my meditation. I let nothing else come into my mind, just the unfurling of the leaves. It’s fascinating and to think I have had that plant for 20 years and although I know it unfolds in the morning and folds at night, I have never taken the time to watch it. I love my plants and to be able to watch one do what it does in its daily rhythm is a wonder. I am also looking for a spiritual retreat to take this summer. This is a prayer I know God will answer. He always answers if we keep our eyes and ears open. I have started a journal so that I know how I feel about my mind; body, spirit today and I will revisit that (write) every few weeks. I am really excited to see how much I have grown in 6 months.
In summary I plan to make meditation an integral part of my day. I plan to go on a spiritual retreat this summer to help me with that. I plan to stop the obsessive/compulsive workout addiction and learn new modes of training effectively in shorter time periods. I am eating cleaner, precisely following the “Makers Diet” which is simply taking nourishments from the foods God intended. Mentally I also work on allowing myself at least as much grace as I allow others. I give others all the forgiveness, grace and love I can find and fall short in terms of myself. So when I screw up now I say; “it’s OK, you’ll do better next time.” That way I can keep floating along rather than bogging down.
In terms of commitment, I cannot see walking this path and jumping off of it. It becomes more essential with each passing day… it is exciting to see what tomorrow or next week will bring. For me to stop growing would be to die spiritually. It is fun to notice the people who “show up” who are like minded also. Laws of Attraction I suppose.
Assessment of my integral health comes from a place of knowing where I am and imagining how I want to be. I feel great physically, but I want to feel extraordinary. Psychologically I still have “stuff” but I have come many miles from the “me” of yesterday. Spiritually, I’d love to be as evolved as Ram Dass or the woman who wrote “Eat, Pray, Love” but I understand it is about MY journey, MY enlightenment. Who knows? Maybe I will go further than either of them. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being best, I would say I am at a 9 in terms of physical health, an 8 psychologically and a 7 spiritually.
I have started making the changes I want to make physically just this weekend. I had been thinking: “I want to take my nutrition to the next level, an even cleaner, purer level. Then, I went to a seminar at our Natural Food Store this past Saturday. This was hosted by Jordan Rubin (whom I posted about) he wrote “Patient Heal Thyself” and “The Makers Diet” most recently and several others. Google him, his story is remarkable. Anyway, I started a cleanse, along with probiotics, digestive enzymes and a supplement for women. I eat very clean, almost always choosing healthy foods and never processed/fast foods but am now following his book exactly for the 40 days he suggests. This includes NO red wine. OMG!! Just the fact that that seems so over-the-top challenging indicates it is exactly what I need to do though. I have maintained my weight within 5 pounds of my ideal for over 20 years now, but, I am going for ideal, or a few under, rather than a few over.
I am also overtraining, I have always over trained and I hired a very knowledgeable personal trainer to design a program for me that includes being sensible with my time and energy. He and I have talked to great lengths and he understands my “neurosis” (some might call it insanity).
I want to experience a tangible “shift” in my mental need to train hours each day. Fitness is fun for me but, like a child, I pout (internally) when I can’t stay at the playground all day. I also think obsessive thoughts such as; “OK 60 minutes hard cycling is about 600 calories, 600 calories is 1/6 of a pound, etc” I am strong enough to stop that particular chatter left over from my days of anorexia. OK, that is embarrassing to admit but we can’t change what we don’t acknowledge right? I have had that same mindset for 20 plus years now, like a shadow one stops noticing until one is forced (by some class) ;) to think about what one is thinking about! I am also going to take 2 yoga classes a week, which will also replace 2 hours of intense training.
In terms of spirit I have started meditating for 30 minutes each day. I sometimes have to break these up into 2 or even 3 sessions at times but I allow that to be OK. I pray for help with this and one morning after praying I turned away from my big sunshine filled window to lay around another minute and I watched my prayer plant open its’ leaves. Prayer answered! I used that as my meditation. I let nothing else come into my mind, just the unfurling of the leaves. It’s fascinating and to think I have had that plant for 20 years and although I know it unfolds in the morning and folds at night, I have never taken the time to watch it. I love my plants and to be able to watch one do what it does in its daily rhythm is a wonder. I am also looking for a spiritual retreat to take this summer. This is a prayer I know God will answer. He always answers if we keep our eyes and ears open. I have started a journal so that I know how I feel about my mind; body, spirit today and I will revisit that (write) every few weeks. I am really excited to see how much I have grown in 6 months.
In summary I plan to make meditation an integral part of my day. I plan to go on a spiritual retreat this summer to help me with that. I plan to stop the obsessive/compulsive workout addiction and learn new modes of training effectively in shorter time periods. I am eating cleaner, precisely following the “Makers Diet” which is simply taking nourishments from the foods God intended. Mentally I also work on allowing myself at least as much grace as I allow others. I give others all the forgiveness, grace and love I can find and fall short in terms of myself. So when I screw up now I say; “it’s OK, you’ll do better next time.” That way I can keep floating along rather than bogging down.
In terms of commitment, I cannot see walking this path and jumping off of it. It becomes more essential with each passing day… it is exciting to see what tomorrow or next week will bring. For me to stop growing would be to die spiritually. It is fun to notice the people who “show up” who are like minded also. Laws of Attraction I suppose.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Key practices
My two favorite practices are loving kindness and meeting Asclepious.
Loving kindness comes very easy for me. I always look for ways to help or cheer someone or just to be there. People are pretty stressed and worried these days it seems. 50% of Americans are on anti-depressants. 8 million American children are on them. ;-( To be able to be a light to others is more important to me than gold or prestige... I beleive that is why we are here.
Meeting Asclepious made me feel great. I love using my imagination and it is very easy to imagine/remember how I felt in times of great joy. I beleive if we allow ourselves to live/feel as if it is...it will be.... Expect great things...
Loving kindness comes very easy for me. I always look for ways to help or cheer someone or just to be there. People are pretty stressed and worried these days it seems. 50% of Americans are on anti-depressants. 8 million American children are on them. ;-( To be able to be a light to others is more important to me than gold or prestige... I beleive that is why we are here.
Meeting Asclepious made me feel great. I love using my imagination and it is very easy to imagine/remember how I felt in times of great joy. I beleive if we allow ourselves to live/feel as if it is...it will be.... Expect great things...
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Meeting Asclepious
This was the best meditation so far. It was easy to pull up my wise person. He is someone I feel the deepest respect and love for. I am always calmed and secure in his presence. This made the experience so "real" and so peaceful from the first moments. It was a little hard too as he is gone from my life now and I miss him everyday. So, I was a little sad but as I stayed with it I realized he will always be a part of me. He came and gave me great gifts, he made me a better person.
Being mindful keeps me grounded. I can now watch my thoughts run amuck and remind myself to check my perspectives against what is real. Applying them in my life becomes easier as I learn more. I would never "go back" to the old me.
"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" simply means that in order to be a good teacher you first had to be a good student. I cannot teach someone to tango without first knowing the steps, nor can I teach it without being able to remember how my body felt trying to learn. People will not follow if they do not feel confidant in the leader, on any of the "dance floors" of life.
These concepts apply to health and wellness professionals as we are being entrusted with our clients well-being. We need to be confidant, approachable, easy to understand, willing, compassionate... I feel deeply obligated to my clients because I just might be the one person who can make a profound and lasting difference in his or her life. Having received great gifts I am now eager to pay them forward.
Being mindful keeps me grounded. I can now watch my thoughts run amuck and remind myself to check my perspectives against what is real. Applying them in my life becomes easier as I learn more. I would never "go back" to the old me.
"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" simply means that in order to be a good teacher you first had to be a good student. I cannot teach someone to tango without first knowing the steps, nor can I teach it without being able to remember how my body felt trying to learn. People will not follow if they do not feel confidant in the leader, on any of the "dance floors" of life.
These concepts apply to health and wellness professionals as we are being entrusted with our clients well-being. We need to be confidant, approachable, easy to understand, willing, compassionate... I feel deeply obligated to my clients because I just might be the one person who can make a profound and lasting difference in his or her life. Having received great gifts I am now eager to pay them forward.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Loving Kindness/Subtle Mind
Oh wow...Kaplan has gone over the edge now. Can I be honest? Good.
Here is the deal...even if those "exercises" somehow brought me to a peaceful place, the extra loud static at the end scared the stuffin out of me! So...I'm driving along, minding my own business, listening to the 2 exercises (as I had to wait to get the CD) when the god-awful static almost made me drive into the oncoming lane. Yep, thats good for my mental well being....watching a semi come straight towards me!
Her voice and the guy in between?? OMG! I'd rather someone drive a hot poker into my head.
Why can't they hire someone like...oh I dunno...HUGH JACKMAN to deliver the message, or...SEAL...he could sing it to us...
Am I being negative? No...I'm just being honest. I'm also frustrated with reading 100 plus pages of an E-BOOK this week....why can't we get a 600 page book in print? (Stress Class) E-book and Edith and Archie leading meditations...hmmmmm again...I am writing to the Dean ;-)
I love meditations, my own...in my own space and time...I cannot quiet my mind when my mind is trying to run away form the voices trying to soothe it. It's like listening to heavy metal when you went to hear Boz Scaggs. (Never mind young students!) ;-)
There, I feel better...now I am pouring some wine...listening to the sounds of nature (grapes growing)
Here is the deal...even if those "exercises" somehow brought me to a peaceful place, the extra loud static at the end scared the stuffin out of me! So...I'm driving along, minding my own business, listening to the 2 exercises (as I had to wait to get the CD) when the god-awful static almost made me drive into the oncoming lane. Yep, thats good for my mental well being....watching a semi come straight towards me!
Her voice and the guy in between?? OMG! I'd rather someone drive a hot poker into my head.
Why can't they hire someone like...oh I dunno...HUGH JACKMAN to deliver the message, or...SEAL...he could sing it to us...
Am I being negative? No...I'm just being honest. I'm also frustrated with reading 100 plus pages of an E-BOOK this week....why can't we get a 600 page book in print? (Stress Class) E-book and Edith and Archie leading meditations...hmmmmm again...I am writing to the Dean ;-)
I love meditations, my own...in my own space and time...I cannot quiet my mind when my mind is trying to run away form the voices trying to soothe it. It's like listening to heavy metal when you went to hear Boz Scaggs. (Never mind young students!) ;-)
There, I feel better...now I am pouring some wine...listening to the sounds of nature (grapes growing)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Mental Workouts
I can honestly say that I find it easier to hike to the top of a mountain or ride my bike 70 miles than to do a mental workout. I tried the other morning, on my deck, watching the sun rise across the river....blue skies, mountains, birds....heaven. I plunked down all intent on 20 minutes of gentle thoughts and feeling the freshness wash over me...
OK...I feel so much better....surely that was at least 20 minutes, right? I looked at my watch... 4 minutes and 46 seconds....sigh....this is hard!
Then I felt agitated....I mean....I have STUFF to do and this is hardly burning up any calories. Good Lord....OK,...eyes close...here we go....
.....rolls and flows of angel hair, ice cream castles in the air, feather canyons everywhere, I've looked at clouds that way...la la la la la
Am I supposed to sing? Where's the instructions?? Can I drink coffee while doing my mental workout?
So, the mental workout, like the physical, is an ongoing process, one that will enhance our capacity to be more grounded, centered, to live in loving kindness and to become deeper aware, spiritually, pyschologically, mentally. It is vital to warding off stress and truly flourishing in our humanness. I have an easier time focusing on peace and nothingness when I am hiking, when I am in nature. I truly believe my daily hikes have helped so much with keeping me from getting too stressed during this difficult time in (most) of our lives.
I have commited to watching the sunrise, from my deck every beautiful morning this spring and summer and not feeling like I have to RUSH off to the gym, until after BOB (big orange ball) makes his grand debut, every morning. ;-)
OK...I feel so much better....surely that was at least 20 minutes, right? I looked at my watch... 4 minutes and 46 seconds....sigh....this is hard!
Then I felt agitated....I mean....I have STUFF to do and this is hardly burning up any calories. Good Lord....OK,...eyes close...here we go....
.....rolls and flows of angel hair, ice cream castles in the air, feather canyons everywhere, I've looked at clouds that way...la la la la la
Am I supposed to sing? Where's the instructions?? Can I drink coffee while doing my mental workout?
So, the mental workout, like the physical, is an ongoing process, one that will enhance our capacity to be more grounded, centered, to live in loving kindness and to become deeper aware, spiritually, pyschologically, mentally. It is vital to warding off stress and truly flourishing in our humanness. I have an easier time focusing on peace and nothingness when I am hiking, when I am in nature. I truly believe my daily hikes have helped so much with keeping me from getting too stressed during this difficult time in (most) of our lives.
I have commited to watching the sunrise, from my deck every beautiful morning this spring and summer and not feeling like I have to RUSH off to the gym, until after BOB (big orange ball) makes his grand debut, every morning. ;-)
Thursday, April 8, 2010
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