WEEK 8

I am amazed this course has gone so fast and we are at week 8 already!

So this week we are to reflect on the practice sessions and exercises we have completed in this course. I have found that, with all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I want to make time to meditate, even if only for a few minutes a day. I don’t always have the time to sit in a quiet, calm place, but I do take the time to stop and refocus on things. I have also found that reflecting on loving-kindness, I have a new found appreciation for “letting things go”. I have never been one to hold a grudge, but sometimes, things sit under the surface. I have learned to tell myself, that I forgive myself and others. Just thinking it helps……As a nurse, I have taught many patients how to control and situation by using their breathing. By focusing on this, I find it easier to get into the meditative moment.

I am going to try and continue these practices after this class has ended in an effort to make my life more.

I have also learned and found interesting how yoga could benefit me and when I get to May 7 and my elusive BSN, I am going to look into starting that journey…….

Sandy N.

Week Seven:

My meditative practices for this past week have been few and far between.  Though I do take time during the day, to regroup, trying to flush out the negative aspects of each day.  This has been an emotional week for me.  One of my best friends and a peer, has taken a job several hours away.  Although I am happy for her, she will no longer be present in my everyday life.  She has been with me through many trying times in the last 12 years and has been there to hold my hand through it all.  I will miss her…

What does it mean, “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself.”?  I guess you could take this many different ways.  I will put it into the perspective of my being a nurse.  There are many patients I come into contact with on a daily basis with many different disease processes.  I can relate to the difficulties of a cancer patient, been there, done that.  I can relate to the family of a dying spouse or child, been there, done that.  I can relate to the patient with hypertension, diabetes, been there too.  I do not always practice the best self-awareness with my health issues, but, I can relate to the difficulties and the struggles one faces.  So, I can lead, maybe not by example, but by experience.  We must always remember that we are not perfect.  What we should remember is to have understanding and maybe learn together.  I am a nurse.  I am not their keeper.  I am there to offer guidance, support and understanding.  Just Friday, I had a patient going for colon surgery.  He was very scared of the unknown.  I offered my advice, based on past experiences I have seen of other patients.   Right before leaving the room, he said thank you for alleviating some of the unknown and he said he was less scared.  This is why I do what I do.

Sandy N.

UNIT SIX

PLEASE SCIP TO THE SECOND BLOG POST......SOMEHOW, UNIT 5 IS BEFORE UNIT 6......
THANKS AND SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION..........

SANDY

I am going to attempt to place my power point here..................

1.Explain each of Dacher’s three levels of the subtle mind (witnessing, calm-abiding, untiyconsciousness) (p.72).   How can you utilize these concepts in your personal life?

Witnessing is the ability to step back and to remove the clutter of the mind and get to the root of the clutter and then remove it from our mind.  This allows us to focus on thoughts that are productive and pleasant.

Calm-abiding is the ability to STOP. To just be in the moment of peace and calm.  To remove all thoughts of outer interference and focus on being still.

The components of wellness are critical in that they are not of western medicine, but come from an inner peace and healing that allows our bodies to follow.  A healthy mind leads to a healthy body.

By living a loving, caring, forgiving, and grateful life, we encompass peace, serenity and live a life that is free of stress and lets our bodies be embraced by natural peace.

As a Christian, I have always been taught to live with love, charity, forgiveness and thankfulness.  By living in this manner, I have peace in my live and the stresses of external strife are not present.  I am taught that living this way is Godly and those who view me and how I live my life can learn this peace.

Dasher, E.S., (2006). Integral Health: The path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA. Basic Health Publications, Inc.      

For this weeks assignment I am asked to practice the Universal Loving Kindness exercise and complete the Integral Assessment.

I find the loving kindness exercise easy.  As a nurse, the very act of considering and caring about the health and wellness of others is what I do.

In contemplating the integral assessment, I find that the areas that cause me the greatest distress in my own life are psychospiritual and biological.

My diabetes is not well controlled.  Although I have seen my physician and follow his instructions regarding medication, I do not do very well in regards to my diet.  I use the excuse that I am from New Orleans, and I love to eat (and that I do).  I love to cook and the choices I make are not healthy for me.  Ahhhhh my delicious Jambalaya and Crayfish Etouffee are killing me.

As a Christian, I am taught to leave it all in the hands of the Lord and he will comfort me and give me strength.  I don't always practice this.  If I did, I would leave my weakness at his feet and he would deliver this from me.  So, these are the two things I need to work on in my life.  Alone, I am not having the strength to overcome my bad eating habits and it is affecting my health. 

I believe that I have to surrender this problem to God and he will help me, give me strength and even take this burden from me.

Happy and healthy week to all!

Week 5

Okay, so I am soooo late in posting this.  Had great difficulty logging in.  Reset my password too many times.  Finally, I am in.

This week we were to compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle Mind exercise.

In the Loving Kindness exercise, we were to focus our energy and thoughts on someone else.  I found this easy to do.  As a nurse, my focus is usually onothers.

In the Subtle Mind exercise, we were to focus our energy on ourselves.  This was a little difficult for me, but not too hard.  Like I said, my focus is usually on others.

I  find the relaxation exercises easier to do and am getting to emjoy the peace and less cluttered mind.

I hope you all have had a great week and again, sorry for not being timely.  Sometimes, s**t happens.

Sandy N.