Practice the Universal Loving Kindness (meditation) exercise.
This exercise was interesting to say the least. I liked it, but struggled with it a bit. I focused on my children and their suffering and then breathing health and happiness back into them. My daughter was an easy choice because of her addition recovery and this is something that I have done for her for months through prayer. My son is 18 and entering into the service after graduation, but he did his boot camp last summer between junior and senior year thus creating a bit of a power struggle between us. He is still in high school but feels he is already a man for having left for three months last year. The concept of this exercise is spot on, I am a form believer that you receive back what you give, so thinking of others is usually my first thought. The problem is I always tend to put myself perpetually on the back burner as a single parent. This exercise I think with practice could teach me how to not only think of others but of myself as well!
Complete the Integral Assessment discussed in chapter 11.
This assessment was a real eye-opener. The psychospiritual and interpersonal aspects of my life need some significant improvement. I am relatively emotionally stable, but I feel so much pressure as a single parent, full-time student and with a stressful work load to make ends meet it often seems overwhelming. I am the type to put all others before myself and want to be supportive and nurturing to everyone but I feel like I am the one with very little support, again it gets overwhelming.
Describe the exercise and assessment process. What did you discover about yourself? What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development? Why? What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area?
Through this exercise I realized I really need to focus on my own emotional life, and building a better interpersonal relationship with my family of siblings and father in hopes of building a better support network. I feel like the biological lines of development have sustained me for some time. But my psychospiritual line and interpersonal line both need some serious scrutiny. I believe one aspect that I need to work on is my reactionary issues. I do tend to react quickly in hopes of trying to control certain situations, usually involving my kids. I also need to work on the level of development with my family and begin forgiving them for feelings of hurt.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI also struggled with this exercise at first, but after a couple of attempts I focused on my kids and family. I tend to the same thing and put myself last and everyone around me first. I am struggling with this and trying to do things for myself. I know if I am not in good spirits how can help other. I struggle with interpersonal and have a difficult time having relationships and it is hard for me to let people in. I am always doubting their motive. I am working on this because it is not healthy at all and have lost some good friendships. I don't want my kids thinking this is healthy behavior at all.
Kisha