Loving Kindness

The relaxation exercise has some great wave sounds going on in the background.  That almost put me to sleep!  Some times I think we just need to sit and be still for a bit.  I could do that while sitting on the beach on vacation, this brought back those memories and made me want to just "be".  Nothing more, nothing less.

I was a little confused about the taking on someone else suffering.  That made me feel bad, because really there is nothing I could do for them but pray for them.  That is what I did at that time.  I have a few family members, who at this time are going through a hard time.  This made me stop and think about them, not about me.  This was a wonderful thing, to put the emphasis on someone else, not on my wants, needs or desires.  {which I think we get overwhelmed with sometimes}
Have you ever heard the song by Matthew West , Population Me {click here for the song}  It is about a guy who only looks at the world and see's what he wants or needs.  Then he see's a homeless widow on the street needing money, he gives it too her, and it changes his life.  We need to do that, love on other people  more.  I think we miss that part of loving kindness A LOT!

For this to make an impact on your life, you have to seriously want to make that change to be more loving and kind to people, no one can force it on you.  I think this would be great for someone who has come to themselves and understand that they are not the only out there in the world and want to make an impact, even if it is just on one person.

A trained mind can influence our physiology, hormonal and immune system.  It can effect every area of our life.  Mental training can transform the mind by reducing disturbing emotions that cause use to be angry, hateful, fearful, worrisome, confused and have doubt in our lives, while enhancing positive emotions such as patience, love, kindness, openness, acceptance and happiness (fruits of the spirit like the bible says).  If we live in fear, full of hate and do not have love and kindness, how can we love someone else?  This is something I need to work on, loving myself.

This unit has a plethora of information, that I hope to glean off of.  I want to love others!  I want to love myself!  I want to gain knowledge, wisdom more than rubies and gold!

Challenging myself is a wonderful way to make yourself change!  I am changing my whole eating lifestyle!  Feel free to check it out at LADY LOVES COFFEE!

Tell next blog!


Ann

Week Number 2-How is my Physical, Spiritual and Mental Wellbeing...

I dislike {greatly} having to rate myself on anything or anyone else for that matter.  .  When it comes to reviews at work, I fret about it days before I finally write down my answers.  If someone wants my "honest" opinion I break out into a cold sweat.  What if I am wrong, I second guess myself, what if I really do it this way instead of that way, and they take it the wrong way. I always want to make sure that my answers are clear, make sense and never hurt anyone's feelings, mostly my managers.  Or what if the cake was marvelous but my tastebuds sucked that day and I thought that the cake tasted like dirt.  OY!  But I am going to give it the old college try, and rate three areas of my life; physical, spiritual and psychology (which I might obviously need help in:).


Physically-I have come a long way baby!  100 pounds long way!  I FEEL great!  Do I still have a ways to go?  You bet! 10 to 15 pounds and I will have met that goal.  I give myself an 8 in this area.  Not a 10 because I still need to work at it and nothing lower because, well, I have done well for myself in this area.  I don't think I will ever be a 10 in the physical area.  I think that will just be a constant goal for me to try harder and harder.  Some goals you meet and are excited about and move onto another goal.  With physical well being you should keep striving, changing, mixing it up so you do not become bored and give up.  I don't want to be that person who thinks, welp, I lost the weight, time to sit back and relax for a bit.  You know what would happen?  The weight, depression, sadness, would come back with vengeance and I would never get rid of it.

Yeah, before...good grief!  

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.

Doing much better now:) 

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.



Another great long blog!!!  Sorry folks, I like to talk!!  It is kind of therapeutic!


You can check out my Clean Eating Challenge that I put myself under here
Lady Loves Coffee


Until next time!

Ann

Who Is Ann Smith?

As you know my name is Ann Smith!  I am 36 years young, mother of one 14 year old boy and wife to Shaun.  I work full time at a bank in the bookkeeping department, help my husband with rental houses and apartments that we have.  In the last 5 years I have lost almost 100 pounds and have found a new love of life!  I am going to Kaplan to receive a degree in Health Science, with an emphasis in Nutrition and Health Wellness!  I can not wait until I get my degree in hand and put it to use!

I am very interested in learning how your mind, body and soul are connected.  I know from personal experience, that what comes out of your mouth, which really generates from your heart, your ears hear and then your mind starts to believe!  You can talk yourself into anything, positive and negative!  I believe in Western medicine, but I also believe in Eastern Medicine and the type of healing that they believe in and practice.

Looking forward to learning more!


I am doing a 30 day Clean Eating Challenge if you would like to check that out at my personal blog at
Lady Loves Coffee


Let your food be thy medicine and your medicine be thy food.  Hippocrates.


Here is a peak into my life!:)

In San Francisco last fall!  Loved IT! 

My sister and I at a photo shoot!  We are writing a cook book.  It will be two in one, mine will be the healthy side, her's the not so health side!:)

My husband, Shaun, and son at his 8th grade graduation, Ezekiel.

A before picture of me from 5 years ago!  What was I thinking?


Looking forward to this term!


Ann