It Doesn't Get Easier, You Get Stronger

This exercise I found a bit more challenging, especially at first. I kept with it though. When I imagined the loving feeling I thought of my children. They are the people I love more than anything and make me feel like nothing else. Loving myself like that felt weird at first, but then it felt really good. I have  a friend that is going through a really tough time. Her son had a bone marrow transplant last year and he is not doing well. I really thought about breathing in her pain and sending her and her family health and happiness. This part reminded me of the movie "The Green Mile" when he breathes in the illness and he breathes it out. I imagined it almost the same way. I imagined breathing in the illness and sending out the love to my friend.
I do like this exercise, even though it is difficult. I want to keep trying and getting better at it. I think there are so many people that need that loving kindness and if we learn how to imagine it and send them positive messages we can learn to do it through our actions. Not only that, we can learn to love ourselves, I think the concept of "mental workout" is beyond awesome. I know first hand the benefits of working out. The mind is a muscle and working it has similar effects. The more you work it the stronger and larger it becomes. I used to deal blackjack. At first the simple act of adding to 21 was a little challenging. After a while, all I had to do was look at 10 cards and come up with the answer. I wasn't any wiser, but I had trained my mind to count quickly. Now, it is harder because my mind is out of shape  because I haven't dealt cards in years, but it is still faster than it was before. Once you train your mind there is no going back. When you train your mind you are better equipped to deal with stressful situations that may have negative impacts on your health.

Playing Catch Up

I am playing catch up in so many ways. Have you ever felt like you just can't get your footing? I have been feeling like that lately. I feel out of the zone. I know I can do better and that is why I am here now, doing this, catching up. 


On a scale of 1-10 I would place my physical well-being at a 6. I have high standards for where I want to be. Not just losing weight or looking good I love being strong. I love the feeling I get at the gym when I impress people for the amount of weight I lift and the intensity I perform at. Last week at the gym one of the trainers said I was a "beast tearing it up" and that is how I knew I was doing something right. On that same note, one thing I feel is holding me down a little is the health of my spine. After seeking out a chiropractor for severe back pain, I know I need to work those kinks out. I have been working on stretching my back and working on a foam roller. MY next step is to seek out a chiropractor that will just adjust me. I fully believe the health of your spine effects your total health. My physical well-being can be improved by me consistently staying active and eating clean. I should also get regular check-ups and continue taking my vitamins. 
My spiritual well-being I would place a little lower, maybe a 5. I am not proud of this, but its honest. I feel like I haven't worked on this much and I haven't payed much attention to this aspect of my life. There is a lot of room for improvement and a lot missing. I want to have that spiritual part of my life. I will seek out information daily and pray. I will also start reading the Bible daily, even if for 5 minutes a day with my children. My daughter has been asking to go to church (I am so proud of her) so maybe it is time I try to fit it in our schedule. 
My psychological well-being. This could be a 5 somedays a 4 (haha). I know some of the main causes of my mental frustration. I am looking for more productive ways to express my feelings. I have always been one of those people who hold back their feelings to protect the feelings of others. Sometimes it comes in handy , but it can really eat at you. I am not a very angry or negative person, but I really need to express myself more. The fact that I am doing this is a small step (yay). I have also held back a lot of thoughts, dreams, desires and feeling out of fear. I have always feared expressing my true feelings. I am not exactly sure why. Maybe out of rejection or disappointing others. It sounds dumb when I put it out here like this. Ways for me to improve my psychological well-being would to be open and honest about my feelings and thoughts. I also think removing the things in my life that bring me down is a good idea. I think the exercises that we have been doing are great and helping me focus on good and relaxation. 
The Crime of the Century exercise was fun to me. I loved imagining the colors shooting from my body. I imagined with every breath they shot out brighter and bolder. I did get emotional the first time I did it. There is one thing that I feel is brining me down and I think that is affecting all the colors of my rainbow. I look forward to doing this exercise because I like all the imagery it uses. 

The first time.

This is my first time writing in my first blog and I did my first relaxation exercise. While I have nothing to compare it to I think it went pretty well. I set the mood by lighting candles and closing all the blinds. Who knew it could be so hard to relax? Trying to get away from the kids, the dog, and the husband proves to be quite the challenge. So once I started the audio it sounds relaxing. It reminds me of the spa minus the heated sheets, oils and massage therapist. I follow the instructions from the mans voice while trying to keep my mind from wandering. With my eyes closed and my body relaxed I imagine my breathe pushing the blood throughout my body. I imagine blood flowing down to my toes and my fingers concentrating on my breath. This reminds me of the book I read "The Chi Revolution" by Bruce Frantzis. How do we forget how to breathe? Anyway, get back to visualizing my blood flowing. I am trying to imagine my warm, heavy hands. Could they be? Eh. I am not sure if I am there yet, but keep trying. I continue to relax and I am feeling pretty relaxed as I continue to visualize my blood flowing. I know I can do better and relize this is my firt time trying so I am not too hard on myself. Maybe next time I will use scented candles and perhaps run some water. What is it about water that is so soothing? I would like to try outside in some fresh air once I find the right spot. I also suggested to my husband that he tries this. He is a bit high strung, that would be an understatement. He is very high strung and this can do him a world of good. It could do us both a world of good.
I hope you all have a wonderful night.
Live the life you imagine.