Waiting to exhale.....

Mental exercises are just as important as the trips to the gym. What good is being strong in body but weak of mind? That makes for skin deep beauty. I strive to reflect a sense of beauty and peace from the inside, out. Problem: WAY TO STRESSED!! One thing I have learned, that you can only hold your breathe for so long before you need to exhale. Sometimes, I feel like I have been holding my breathe for years, literally. So what's a girl to do? It's time to exhale.

Taking time to practice mental exercises has allowed me to focus on breathing and quiet my mind. I am more aware of when I hold my breathe, the stress that triggers that response, and how to reconnect my thoughts to my body to minimize the anxiety. Doesn't work everyday, but believe me, I am far less explosive then the me of the past.

The Loving-Kindness exercise helps you to focus specifically on an individual or situation that you care about. Visualization of inhaling all of the hurt that person experiences, without becoming overwhelmed, and then releasing healthy, good, restorative feelings with your exhale is powerful. This exercise releases feelings in me that are euphoric in nature and give me a sense of elation and peacefulness. The Subtle Mind exercise is more challenging. This exercise allows your mind to become an observer of thoughts, but minimize any reaction to those thoughts. Sometimes, it's like watching a fire burn out of control. I want to react, throw water on it, ask how it started, why, when, who? Instead, I am reminded to let the thought drift from my mind and refocus on my breathing. The process starts again. Breathing, breathing, breathing; the laundry is not done, deadlines are due, did I make the right decision? It doesn't matter; just breathe.

There is a benefit to both of these exercises. It gives me an opportunity to focus on a specific loving feeling and apply it to myself. Very important to remember to love yourself as you love others. Chances are, if you are angry and aggressive to others, you are even worse on yourself. And your body will respond in the most negative and destructive ways imaginable. Additionally, learning how to observe thoughts gives me a sense of control; I am the master of my fate! My mind is only as limited as I make it! Every practice, every moment, every time I stop the chatter, I have an opportunity to connect to my creator and the collective consciousness that holds the key to inner peace. Who doesn't want that? I know I do!

Keep practicing! Namaste~

Loving Kindness Exercise

I apologize for the late posting, but life has a funny way of changing our schedules. Even when we have the best intentions to do everything in a timely way, reality steps in and throws the ultimate curve. With that in mind, the loving-kindness exercise was very appropriate and timely. As my frustration level grew, I realized my time was getting short; the first and best excuse not to sit down and do this assignment, right? Very, very, wrong. This was the best time to slow down, with purposeful intent to remind myself of the good things I have done, and that being kind to myself makes me better for everyone else. After the relaxation exercise, my focus was clear, my stress was less, and I have been completing task while truly enjoying staying in the moment. 

I think everyone should try an exercise like this one. Maybe not all at once, but a few minutes a day will help set the groundwork for longer, more meaningful moments of meditation. 

The Crime of the Century....

As part of our collective exercise, we have participated in experiencing in a relaxation technique called The Crime of the Century. This exercise was an opportunity to stop and allow thoughts to move dynamically through your mind without judgement or anxiety. I was very engaged in this process, embracing the moment to relax...then my daughter woke me up and said turn off the computer, the exercise has been over for hours! Before I drifted off, I had thoughts that went from people and things in my life to ideas and possibilities. It was a welcome change. Allowing the mind to take you to new places and not fearing the unknown is definitely new to me. The safety of being given permission to feel and experience instead of always reacting was equivalent to being given the key to a locked door.

Preparing for the exercise is as important as the exercise itself. Being in a comfortable setting, minimizing disruptions, and accepting that if I should fall asleep, I have already gotten my things in order for the next day. Planning reduces worry and lessens stress for me. Processing the information, or journaling, is also an effective way to review experiences after the exercise, giving you an opportunity to build on each technique and improve the ability to connect.

I enjoy each chance to share our collective experiences. I often feel that when I am in the relaxed state, I can feel the energy of others who are connecting with our spiritual sources, which fills me with anticipation of possibilities to come.

How Do I Rate?

Knowing who you are and where you are is important to progress in personal growth and development. If I had to make a wheel to ride on from my physical, spiritual and psychological well-being, it would be a bumpy ride. On a scale of 1-10, my physical well-being is about a 7. I have lost a lot of weight, and kept it off for a couple of years now.  Although, I have a ways to go, and my self image hasn't caught up with the scale. My spiritual growth: I give it a 5. I practice daily meditation and set time aside to reflect on my higher power and what my "true" purpose in this life was, is, and can be. Psychologically, ugh...I'm embarrassed to say would only rate a 4. My mind can be a mess! Over thinking things, stressing about what I should be doing, what I should have accomplished, did I meet my deadlines; you know the drill. But who is setting the bar so high? Why do I feel I have such a hard time meeting the standard? It's me and my own destructive chatter in my head that is slowing me down. So here I am, bumping down the rode of life like a wooden wheel that resembles more of a badly damaged bike rim after riding down Main St. and hitting every pot hole possible. So to smooth things out I have set my intentions on concrete ways to improve every aspect of my life.

Physical exercise is such an important part of my day. Just walking outside can make all the difference for me. Walking helps with maintaining my weight loss goals, while allowing me time to quite my mind and minimize the chatter. Afterwards, practicing some yoga poses releases stress from my body and mind. Soft music in the background helps me focus on my breathing and moves me to a more balanced state. I do have some days of intense interval workouts, but for me, a long walk in the park is total restoration.

Tonight I will practice a new relaxation exercise...It takes a lot to shut this mind down, even for a minute. I'll let you know how it goes. Wish me luck.

WELCOME TO MY WORLD

Welcome to a chance to share, engage and share ideas openly and freely about everyday life. I often feel like I am the only one who goes through the drama life throws my way. This is my opportunity to share, in hopes to show others that you are not alone. To my classmates and Professor, this project is taking me outside of my comfort zone...but a change of scenery is good.

Life Overrides Plans

So I have my day all planned out. Friday is get it done day; T25 workout by 7am, gym at 8:30, visit my folks by 10, focus on my school work till 2, visit my son in the next state, book my flight for vacation, pay bills, lots of bills. The list goes on; actually, reality sets in and the list goes away. As I step on the treadmill I get a phone call, dad is ill and on his way to the hospital.

As I sit here waiting, trying not to worry, I thought this would be a good time to listen to a relaxation exercise. The music; tranquil, the voice; questionable, the lesson; valuable. I was not in the most appealing place to practice, but the most necessary. Having been through guided meditation before, I allowed my thoughts to drift and reminded myself not to borrow trouble; stay in the moment. What I have now is positive and real, at this moment, family is here and we have this moment. That is what is important. As the day progresses, I will continue to listen and review the relaxation to help me stay in the moment and be grateful for the now.

This is Just the Beginning...

So here it goes,

I have been working towards balancing my life in hope of finding a passion for living. No longer accepting the ordinary, but reaching for the extraordinary. Everyday, like many of you, I have to find time for exercise, school, children, and work. How do I balance them all? At times, I feel selfish; strangely, this is the best time I have ever spent. Since consistently exercising, eating better and meditating, I have found that I have created more quality time for everything else in my life.

As I learn, I hope to share. There will be times I fail; but that is ok. As Winston Churchill said, "Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts."

I like to gather information from many sources, including all of you. Please let me know how you balance the busyness of life without losing a sense of self in this crazy world. It's not easy, that I know for sure.