Unit 7

This week I made sure each day in the morning before work I went into our spare bedroom sat facing the window closed my eyes crossed my legs and focused and meditated on the day ahead I did this for about 15 minutes, then read a positive affirmation then woke everyone else up in the house. Since this class I have increased my meditation and now find it easier to channel my energy rather negative or positive. With that being said I find the saying so true that "one can not lead another until he has been there himself." How can you ever give someone else advice or anything if you have never been in that situation and came out better? So it is best to only give advice on a situation you have actually been to and relate to.

Unit 6

In doing these assignments I discovered a lot about myself. I learned that the area I have the hardest time with is Spiritually and the area I comes easy to me is physical and mentally is in the middle depending on how I handle my stresses day to day. Therefore I am choosing to focus on my relationship with God and get my Spiritual life together. I remember back to when I went to church regularly I was a lot happier and when I coupled that with regular workouts I was unstopable. I want to get back to that place. I am going to start praying more outside of when I am in a tough spot. Also going back to church and reading my bible will also be a great way to get to where I want to be with God and in my Spiritual life.

Unit 5

I found with the loving kindness it was a little easier for me to focus because all i had to do was think about one person and I could focus and channel my thoughts a lot easier. With the other subtle mind i found it harder because I have been having a hard time focusing and staying focused due to a lot of things going on in my life. The body is one unit so it only makes sense that for the entire body to focus and work as one all parts have to work together. So spiritually you have to be in a good place for mental and physical to work. If one starts to lack we may experience problems else where in our life. 

Unit 4 Loving kindness

After practicing loving kindness the way the exercise asked I must say I truly enjoyed it although I fell short a time or two it was a lot of fun and truly beneficial.  Being an imperfect person I think any time we try to do things nice it is hard because not everyone appreciates it or understands so sometimes we feel unappreciated and it makes it hard. But once you get over the hump that some people are just "happy" being miserable it makes you that much happier and easier to give to those who would/will be thankful. 
Mental workout is challenging your mind in ways you typically wouldn't. Caltivate wisdom taking an hour each day to workout the mind doing something stimulating that we normally wouldn't do. By doing this we become well rounded and can truly become well versed as a person.

Well-being (unit 3 blog)

My physical well-being is not where it use to be after having a baby. I use to workout 4 times a week and be in amazing shape, now I get to workout maybe 2-3 times a week but I am trying to get back into the shape in was before- toning your tummy is hard after a baby. So I would rate my physical well-being at a 6.5. Actually starting this week I have started going on OnDemand (through Comcast Cable) and doing a 15 minute workout, I also have cut back on the amount of food I eat although it is hard because I am still breast-feeding my son. Also I go to hot yoga twice a week and the gym one day a week. So hopefully I will be back to my shape by the end of March or start of April. 
Spiritual well-being is a bit different for me I am not super religious at all, maybe in part because I was brought up in a very religious home so I rebelled once I got a certain age and now although I believe in God, I do not go to Church or anything but I have faith in a higher power, so I would rate my spiritual well-being at a 5. My goal especially now that I am a mother is to start going back to church and not force religion on my son but make sure he does know that there is a God and he is wonderful and never puts upon us what we cannot bare. 
Psychological well-being I think is my strongest, I have never been scared to ask for help when I get down or depressed. I read a lot of self help books and surround myself around positive people who want and strive for more. I this area I would rate myself an 8 or 8.5. I want to keep getting to know myself and open up new things within my mind. 
For all 3 areas I feel like meditation, yoga, and focus is a big part and will only make me stronger. Working out takes away stress which plays a part in the psychological areas of life and being in control of self is important. Also doing things that make me feel good like giving back and volunteering is important to my well-being as well. 
After listening to the exercise it reminds me of the power of relaxation and how important it is along with breathing. It actually makes me remember why we painted our living room blue, colors are very important to the human mind. Colors invoke feelings. Positive affirmation is very important they say if you play positive saying while you sleep it will help you gain those qualities like, confidence, control, love and some others as well.

My Son

So my son turned 4 months last Friday (boy how time flies) I lovvvvvvvveeeeeee being a mommy, its a heck of a lot of work but I love it. He is not a fan of tummy time rather be held and have you walk around so he can explore the world, he is very alert! He is starting oatmeal and it is bitter sweet because I know this means he is growing up.  Anyway I just had to share that I have the most amazing, handsome, alert son in the world! (i think every parent thinks that about their child) :) . I will post a picture one of these days....and oh yes feel free to find me on facebook: Ryan Holmes or twitter: @CharlieNic2

Journey On Relaxation Exercise (school post)

I love to blog and mediate so this is a perfect class for me! This project was Super relaxing! I love to meditate usually I do so by lighting candles and sitting in a room closing my eyes and channeling. However, I never tried using a tape to assist in my meditation. His voice was soothing and following his directions on muscles relaxation was helpful. In a way it reminded me of yoga but at the same time is was different channelling my energy to move my own blood and control my muscles in a different way, my arms and hands actually did feel warm and heavy. I want to look for more "videos" like this it was very nice. I might start listening to this before I go to work, I actually did feel energized after I was done, lighter and happier. This would be a nice meditation to do on a lunch break for someone in a high stress job as well.
~Giving It As Good As I Get It~
~CharlieNic~