1. Introduction
Professionals
• Psychologically- Professionals need to be competent to assess and react to different situations. They must keep their personal lives out of the equation. If they are mentally prepared they will be able to listen to the client and help them with these issues. A professional that has knowledge and compassion will make his/her client more comfortable and easier to work with.
• Spiritually- Spiritually grounded people have a calmness and confidence that surrounds them. They offer many options to treatment other than that of mainstream society. Professionals are also able to lead others to discover their own purpose and identity. A qualified person can help you transform yourself from who you are to who you want to be, in this was you’ll see old things in a new way.
• Physically- People often equate physical appearance with how proficient people are at their profession. No one would want to go to an overweight personal trainer or nutritionist because they don’t portray what they teach. Like the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”-author unknown.
Myself
Personally I need growth in all three areas.
• Psychologically- I need to gain more confidence in myself and not worry about how other people view me or how I lead my life. It’s a tough crutch to bear.
• Spiritually- Spiritually I’m a work in progress. I was in the dark before taking on this degree in health and wellness. Every day I become more aware and open to my spirituality. I’m actually starting to enjoy life again. There is a light at the end of my tunnel for the first time in a very long time. I started going to church and it was an amazing experience. I’m truly blessed by the people in my life now.
• Physically- Physically I need major improvement. I have a gym membership that I don’t make time for and nutritionally, I eat whatever is easiest to make. I just feel there is not enough time in my data to fulfill my nutritional and fitness needs. I’m losing weight not because I’m trying to, but because I don’t eat enough or correctly.
2. Assessment.
• Psychologically I’m about a 5. I need the regain the confidence in life and love that I’ve lost over the last few years.
• Spiritually I’m about a 6. I’m currently on the path to success. I have to remain open and have the clarity to not only imagine my future but to bring down the walls and embrace it.
• Physically I’m a 4. I have all the excuses in the book. But in reality I have a 4 hour window in the morning to improve myself exponentially nutritionally and physically if only I could get out of bed, get dressed and into the car.
3. Goal development
• Psychologically- I need to have more belief in myself and my abilities. I have to stop trying to be the person I think other people want me to be and just be myself.
• Spiritually- I need to reconnect with God.
• Physically- get in the best shape I can in all aspects of my life.
4. Practices for personal health
• Psychological
1. Let my story go- Stop living in the past, just let the past go. I don’t want to hold on to things that won’t allow me to move forward with my life. I’ve already lived that way and I wasn’t good the first time so why hold on to it.
2. Meditation- I need to bring peace back to my mind and body. I need to release the stress that life brings to me on a daily basis.
• Spiritual
1. Loving kindness- it will allow me to be at peace no matter what situation I encounter. It provides me with a calmness that I’ve never experienced before. I’m finding the strength to be compassionate in a difficult situation.
2. Practicing restraint- I don’t want to give in to sudden urges and do things out of impulse. I want to participate in something greater that fulfilling my ego’s desires.
• Physical
1. Fitness- I really need to get to the gym. I need to follow the plan that has already been set up for me and as cliché as it may sound I have to “just do it” for myself.
2. Nutrition- I have to stick to the meal plan. Meals should be planned out so that I don’t deviate and eat meals that are not benefitting me.
5. Commitment
Commitment is the hardest part of the whole process. I know how I’m feeling right now, at this moment in time, I’m currently not the man I envisioned myself to be at this point in my life. I could have never written about my feelings let alone allow someone to read about them. I wasn’t open at all spiritually and I didn’t care about anything at all. I’m a work in progress. I feel change happening in all aspects of my life and I’m very happy on the path that I’m travelling spiritually and psychologically. I’m on the path to success, not only have I experienced it, but my friends and family have noticed the change in me. Loving kindness has changed my perspective on life. It has humbled and calmed me.
The hardest part to change for me is my fitness and nutrition levels. I know that when I get these two aspects of my life under control, all the other aspects of my life will be enhanced. I’m going to make the choice for a healthier lifestyle and to do that I’m going to have to do a major overhaul on my refrigerator and my cupboards. Consulting a dietician may be something to consider too.
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you being so honest with yourself, forget what I or anyone else thinks because frankly it doesn't matter. You said something profound in my eyes "I need to bring peace back into my life". This is the most important thing for anyone to do! Based upon your plan, I can also do the same by joining a gym to get a little buff...lol. I think it would be a good idea for you to continue doing what you're doing, but just use those 4 hours in the morning. There's a lot that you can do in that time period.
Hello Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post because it was heartfelt and honest. I agree with about ninety percent of the things you said, and I think that integral health is not something that we can obtain in a short period of time. It is something that we must strive towards, work with on a daily basis, and we will see a small amount of improvement little by little. However, the best thing is to realize that we can always better ourselves and there is always room for improvement. I personally thought I was in excellent health until this class. I eat fairly healthy, am forced to work out due to military, and have never had any problems at the doctor. Now that I know what exactly integral health is, I realize I have just began my long journey. It sounds like you are definitely on the right road, and it is inspiring to me that you have transformed already and that you can see the changes. It gives me hope for my future as well. Great post!
Greetings Kevin,
ReplyDeleteSo true, as professionals we need to give the patient/client a listening ear in order to give a more thorough diagnosis to their issues. And, of course, as we have learned, deep listening can only occur in the still mind, and there is no separation between the speaker, thee listener, and the listening. However, you said it well, "I'm a work in progress", I believe everyone is, as no one is perfect. There is always goals to set and achieve. Commitment, it comes from within, and this class has thought us how to strive forward. Good luck in your journey to a healthier, happier flourishing life!