Week 10, Update on Goals

Below are my initial goals.  Now, time for the update:

Spiritual, I would say that I went up a number to a strong 7.  I am trying to focus my spirit a little better, have some loving kindness thrown in there on a regular basis, relax in my spirit and a little more open to mediation, in the sense that I will be more relaxed and calm abiding.

Mental Health-  I would by no means say that my self esteem has jumped, but I do feel a bit more confident in myself.  I think my CrossFit class has helped in that area, making me away that yes I can do something that I didn't think I could ever do.

I have not lost the 10 to 15 pounds, but I am down 5!
I am spending a bit more time with God, but not the amount that I wanted.
I can honestly say I like myself a little more.  By changing my eating (I am mostly plant based now) and working out a little more hard core, my skin tone is better and I feel better.
I would like to "run".  I walk very fast, but I have a desire to just RUN!  But at this moment I feel like it is jarring when I do it.  Does anyone else feel this way?

I have enjoyed this class very much and am looking forward to my future and yours!  I will not be updating on this blog anymore, but feel free to follow me on

Nutrition In A Pinch or at
Lady Loves Coffee!

Best to you!

Ann




Spiritual-I would have to give myself a 6 on this one.  I think spiritual health is just as important as physical health.  Always striving for that perfect mark, working hard to get at it, and one day, when I reach heaven I will receive that crown that I have worked hard for here on earth.  I build up treasures in heaven, not down here where the moth can get to it and eat it all up.  One of my goals from a year or so ago, when I decided to go back to school, was to be an inspiration to anyone and everyone I meet.  If I am not spiritual well, I will not have the strength somedays to get out of bed.  I depend a lot on God, for His guidance, His Word that I can read daily and just his presence.  I am always running the race, waiting to receive the high mark!  But there again, if I think I am a 10, I have nothing to strive for.

Mental Health-I have low self esteem.  I have tried the whole looking in the mirror and saying "your good enough, your smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like you" but I never believe it.  Ever.  My mother growing up would call me names, moose, cow, tubby...words of endearment that I am sure  of now, and no matter how much I have forgiven her (spiritual side), I can NOT get those words out of my head.  I think I could weigh 100 pounds and still feel that way.  Growing up in foster care, even though it was a great home,  made me feel, because I was, different.  That I didn't belong anywhere, not wanted.  I struggle to this day with trying to understand why my husband married me, why people want to be my friend, how I look, am I good enough for my son?  I REALLY need to get this under control. Who wants to come talk to a lady about how they feel, look and are worried about their weight and health if I am crying in the corner because I feel fat that day.  Um no one, that is who!  So in the whole area of psychology wellness, I would give myself a 3...nothing higher for many reasons, and nothing lower because, I do function on a daily basis...

Goals:

Lose this last 10 to 15 pounds
Spend more timing praying, seeking after God
Learn to like myself and then love myself.


Activities:

I think I will just keep doing what I am doing for my physical side.  CrossFit 3 times a week, walking 4 or 5 times a week, eating clean.
Reading my bible more, sharing my faith more.
I need to learn to relax when it comes to ME.  I am cool, I am chill, or I think I can be, do some yoga more!

The relaxation exercise made me nervous, I guess that is the best way to describe it.  I did not like the whole focus on me bit...felt weird.

Unit 9 Project. Made it to the end!

Ann M. Smith

Assignment #9

HW420

My Plan

            From my own personal experience, it is important to have your mind, body and spirit working as one, or together.  If I do not have it together, in all areas, than how can I coach or lead someone into ultimate health and happiness?  The area I need to work on is my mind.  I let my mind control too much of my feelings, emotions, and thinking.  Yes, I know that is what the mind does, but I should not it over rule my body and spirit, especially when my body and spirit are doing the right thing.  I need to learn to control my mind, and not let it wonder so much.  I need to use the witnessing mind mediation more and learn to have complete control over my thoughts. 

            Spiritually, I think I am a 9 out of 10.  I have a spiritual life, I am not ashamed or embarrassed of it.  I like to tell people about what God has done for me, I love to read my bible and mediate on His word, I pray and try my hardest to live a life devoted to God with out making people stumble.  Physically, my goal is a 10, but I am always going to be upping that number.  Once I get to a 10, I will make my goal a 20.  I don’t ever want to hit my goal physically, what would there be to achieve then?  Psychologically?  That is a tough one.  Because I let my mind do it’s own thing sometimes, I have fear, what if I am not able to help anyone, what if I can not do this, what if under my “treatment” someone gets sick or heavier, or more unhealthy?  I would say I am at a strong 5.

            Goals:  Physically, I would love to do a Triathlon.  I will have to keep working towards that goal.  Psychological, working on me controlling my thoughts and feelings, not vice versa and spiritually, I could spend some more time in prayer and some mediation.  I would like to have a deeper mediation life.  But first, I need to calm my mind.

            The practices that I am going to implement into my life are to foster growth are, I am going to keep training my body, pushing it to it’s limits and forcing it to do things that my mind says it can not by doing CrossFit three times a week and running the other four.  I am running my first 5K in October and I want to move on to bigger and better things.  Always pushing past my goal.  I would like to add more flexibility to my body, so I will be doing more yoga on a regular basis.  For my mind, I am going to keep trying the mediation practices laid out in the book Integral Health.  I am going to master this!  I have decided to do it after my yoga sessions.  I am very calmed and relaxed after these sessions; I think I will be able to focus my mind a little more, since I have released a lot of stress and tension during yoga.  I would like to learn a little more about Tai Chi and see if this is something that I could also use instead of yoga or switch back in forth between the two.  I believe that if I got my mind a little more focused I could meet my physical goals a little faster.

            Spiritual, by being more focused and calming my mind, I believe my spiritual side will see some growth also.  I plan on using mediation for my spiritual side along with reading my bible, earnest prayer and prayer for other people.  I like what Dr. Dacher says, embrace all living beings, including those whom you consider to be your enemies.  A change will take place in your mind and your heart.  Integral Health also states may all individuals gain freedom from suffering, find sustained health, happiness and wholeness, may I assist people in all of these areas, not only through prayer but having a relationship with them. 

            I am a goal setter.  I make yearly goals, monthly, weekly and daily.  I am also a list maker, so I know that if I write it down, and run with it, I will finish the race.  I would like to lose another 20 pounds, and I would love to do it in six months, and I know that it is attainable.  I HAVE to put me first, my mind, body and spiritual needs instead of everyone else all the time.  That is what is usually my stumbling block. 

            I never want to go back to where I was.  Fat, unhealthy, tired, sore, weak, depressed.  Just remembering that feeling will keep me from ever going that direction again. 

        

It has been a pleasure being in class with you!

    

 Ann

Two Practices To Be Most Beneficial

I think the loving kindness and the mediation ones have been the most beneficial to me.  I liked the loving kindness because it reminded me that if I want someone to be loving and kind to me, I must first be loving and kind to them.  I must remember that there are other people out there in the world who are suffering while I am truly blessed.  What can I do to help them or make an impact in the community where I live.  I want people to look at me and see that I am loving and kind.

The second is mediation.  This type of practice makes me take a step back from daily life and be still.  It makes my mind rest, my body and my spirit.  I can reflect on good thoughts and experiences and store them away for future needs.

I have enjoyed this class, and I sincerely think it will help me when I go to deal with people and their health and nutrition issues.



Ann

New Personal Blog!

If you want to keep following me after this term, feel free to follow one or both my blogs!




Lady Loves Coffee


or


Nutrition In A Pinch





Best to everyone!


Ann

Meeting Aesclepius

I kind of had a hard time finding a face to go with this person.  I spent the first time doing the exercise trying to come up with someone or a visual image of someone that I missed the whole thing and had to listen again.  The second time around I still just could not do it, put a face in that space.  I ended up just thinking of a big white cloud that lead me around and guided me.

I believe I am getting more spiritually well, some of it is the class and the other part of it is me taking the time to pray, mediate on God's word, and having some peace and quite in my life.  It has helped tremendously!  I am going to keep spending everyday, if not every other day, having time for me, to be still, listening to my mind, body and spirit, so I can tell what is going on.

One cannot lead another where on has not gone himself.  If you have never experienced something, how can you give advice on the subject?  You can, but will you be taken seriously?  I want to be taken like I know what I am talking about, not some fly by night quack who is just there to put my time in or to get a pay check.

I want to be a well rounded person; professionally and personally.  I want people to look at me, see what I do and realize that yes, I can help them, and I will.  I need to make sure that I am up to par in all of these areas of my life too.

This has been a wonderful class.  I am learning such important things, that I would of never thought of before.  I greatly appreciate everyones feedback and support!

Until next time!!


Ann

Loving Kindness and Assessment Unit 6, over half way done!

I can not believe that we are over half way done with this term already!  Time goes by so fast.  When I stop and think about it, I realize that I still haven't taken much time for relaxing, mediation, or loving myself with some loving kindness.  This is something I really need to work into my life.  I can and do see the benefit of it when I do it!

Now, on to week 6 and things we need to do!

I like the thoughts to think ( if that makes sense) on page 93:

May all individuals gain freedom from suffering
May all individuals find sustained health, happiness and wholeness
May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering
May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness and wholeness

This IS exactly what I want to do!  When I started my first blog  LADY LOVES COFFEE, the whole point was to help people find their healthy, happy life!  I think that if we really care about people we will do everything mentioned above to the best of our ability!


I think I am ready for growth in all areas of my life, I am a knowledge seeker, and learning means growth!  Sometimes I do have a hard time just sitting and being still, because there is so much to do, in such a short amount of time!  I need to go go go!  Do do do!  Sometimes I might not handle situations that best because I want to fix it now or see it come to a closure soon.  This is another area of development that I need to look into:)  If I could get myself a little better in balance, have some calm abiding mojoing in my life, I might be doing better!!


See you on the blogs!

Ann

Subtle Mind

Loving kindess is all about loving everyone, including yourself.  Subtle mind is about getting your mind under control.  Controlling your thoughts, not grasping and clinging at random thoughts that fly thru your mind.  Your mind is clear, focused and quiet.  Sometimes we need to just stop and listen to what our mind, body and spirit is telling us, instead of grasping at straws and running hither and tither.  

I thought that the exercises were very similar.  They both involved breathing, relaxing and focusing on oneself.  I honestly have a hard time doing both.  I really need to learn to focus, but when I am just "sitting" here, listening to some lady speak, I think of all the things I could be doing.  This is where I need to learn to focus my thoughts, clear my mind, and love myself enough to just be still for a bit!  Why is that so hard!?  Surely, I am not the only person who deals with this madness?  

I know that if I go for awhile without spending time in God's word, praying, or just meditating, then I feel like I am about ready to fall apart!  I need that refreshing, that rejuvenating of my spirit in order for my body and mind to feel free and lifted of burdens.  Sometimes, I let myself go a long time with out that refreshing because I let "life" get in the way.  I have to work, work out, shop at the grocery store, do laundry, dishes, homework, blogs, my son's school things, sports, rental property issues, bills to pay.  I need to sleep at sometime!  I get drained, then I don't have the energy to recharge my batteries!  I need to not let myself get this way, but sometimes it happens before I even realize it!  

I know that if I am not mentally or spiritually upbeat or well, I don't feel good on the whole.  I may go through the motions, but on the inside something is missing.  It is so important to take care of yourself in all areas of your life.  Your mind, body and spirit are so in tune with each other, they depend on each other.  

Keep on loving others and yourself!

Until next time!