For week 7 , this was our assignment: The mp3 was about focusing on a mentor or someone you perceived as having qualities such as those you'd like to see/emulate in yourself..( such as compassion, great knowledge or the like)
- Complete the Meeting Aesclepius mp3 (located in the Doc Sharing area). Describe your meditative practices for the week and discuss the experience. Explain how mindfulness or meditation has fostered an increase in your psychological or spiritual wellness. How can you continue to apply these practices in your life to foster greater health and wellness?
- Describe the saying: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" (p.477). How does this apply to the health and wellness professional? Do you have an obligation to your clients to be developing your health psychologically, physically, and spiritually? Why or why not? How can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in your personal life?
The person I focused on was a woman I have known for years, she is very high energy but it is a quiet energy that makes you feel like she can handle anything (and she often does with grace and quiet dignity). I enjoyed the exercise insomuch as I admire this person and wish to be more like her, but feel that the idea that I could become her is a bit unrealistic, and in a way setting myself up for failure.
I simply can't be her as our experiences and lives have had different paths and these are all part of what makes up what we are. She has been a great example to go by, and I hope to be able to do more work with her, but again, she has also learned from me so we have a mutually beneficial relationship, and I think that it's important to note that as well
I feel like I have developed a greater understanding of contemplation and it's power. I have learned that it's ok to be selfish for a few moments to get my mind back into perspective and will continue to do so as I feel less stress and more confident in my abilities to deal with something negative
I think that anyone who advises people ( health or otherwise) should have the experience to back it up..Much like telling someone that a certain restaurant is great if you've never been there or had the food , eventually the truth will tell and your advice will loose it's punch.. In my line of work, if I don't know the answer, or have never tried the product, I am honest and qualify my statements with honesty. An example; A new flea and tick product was introduced, my dogs had an allergic reaction so I told clients that I honestly could not verify personally that the product was effective, but I could tell them what I had heard from other clients etc..
On the self health side, I have tried acupuncture and feel it's effective, but do tell others that it may not work for everyone.. leaving it up to them whether to try it for themselves or their pets.. ( have done for the dogs, too ).. I think as a health care professional, it's my responsibility to be aware of options, keep an open mind and keep myself (and my pets) healthy..on all fronts.. hard to take advice on not smoking from a smoker for example:-) You also need to remain a bit separate and maintain objectivity as well to remain effective in your job.
my crazy hound sleeping on the couch.. in the hound world, this is called "roaching"
Meeting Aesclepius.mp3
I thought that the execise was a great way to relax and meditate but found it difficult as well when the narrator asked to become that person. This was unrealistic to me as well. The person I chose was my grandmother who passed recently. However, in that moment of quiet mindful meditation I felt so relaxed and calm hold her hand and thinking of all of the woderful conversations that we'd had before. The wisdome she gave me that I cherish and will carry with me for the rest of my life. I too enjoyed the practice and would like to do it again. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us.
ReplyDeleteAndi,
ReplyDeleteI had frustrations with the exercise but there were a little different. I struggled with knowing what to focus on and so I felt like my mind was all over the place. I did not interpret the exercise as if I was supposed to become the person I was focusing on. As you said, that would be so difficult because everyone has different experiences in life that make them who they are. Instead, I focused on what I admired about the person or what characteristics I admired. Then I tried to see how I could emulate those characteristics, while still being me. As you mention, it is so hard to take advice or guidance from someone who has not been through it. Who better to learn from about desired personal characteristics than someone who lives their life by them. That is just my two cents I love your point about maintaining objectivity in your profession. I think that is often overlooked but very much appreciated by clients. Thank you for sharing! I love the picture!