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The loving kindness exercise was to repeat a paragraph stating how “I” want to help others and to focus on this paragraph visualizing it in your mind. For the first few minutes I was just “saying” the words, then I started thinking about the words as I said them. The only profound effect that it had on me was that for a moment I didn’t feel the “ugly” parts of the world. Like watching the news- it’s all ugly and makes you dislike the way we live, this exercise erased that ugliness and I focused on the good.
The Integral assessment had us to meditated and ask ourselves about the aspects of our lives and how they are working or not working for us. What do we need to focus on more? Etc…
I had to sit and think quite awhile taking in the questions. I really believe that I missed a step in the Interpersonal quadrant of my life. I went straight to the “you” and skipped the “I” And probably have only reached the “all of us” only a few times in my life. I really enjoy and often do help others. I like to make people happy. But I am also very confused on what else I like… there has to be more than I like to make others happy and I like to workout,….right?! Maybe , perhaps I need to sit down for a couple hours and discover myself. I plan to go to the national park today, run with the running stroller, have my lil girl run some too (hopefully making her tired) run some more with her in the stroller until she falls asleep then I will find a nice quiet spot close my eyes and just …meditate…figure out the “I” .
I’ll let you know how it goes!
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Living Life
Aly,
ReplyDeleteI think it is so hard for many of us to really know ourselves. We usually are too busy thinking about everyone else and what needs to be done next. When I sat down and evaluated myself I felt enlightend. It is hard to really help others until we can figure ourselves out. Going through this process will only make us stronger as an individual and help us in our professional development. I hope you have figured out the "I". just remember it may take some time to figure out. Best of luck to you!
Amanda
Amanda, it is hard to know ourselves, especially in the midst of life. I never thought about doing something for myself when I was a wife and mother-there was just so much else to do, I didn't have time to think about me. After the children grew and went about their adult lives I looked around and realized, it is all about me now! (ok, I was sad about that, but the children are great doing just what they were raised to do, be independant!).
ReplyDeleteStages of life....always changing.
Best to you,
Stacy
Aly, first let me say that I hate watching the news! When I did have cable I never watched it because it is mostly so negative and negativity is so toxic I do not need anymore of it in my life! How was the park? I have run with a running stroller once before with a friends little boy and it was so hard for me so kudos to you for doing it!! I love to meditate and I love outdoors so your idea sounds wonderful!! It is hard to think of things that I like also. And whenever I think I have myself pretty much figured out something happens and I realize that I am still learning all of my ins and outs. Hope you had fun at the park let us know how it went!
ReplyDeleteMy baby girl never did fall asleep, But i did find a great area that she could play safely and I could still see the water. I stretched and zoned out for a bit--- it was nice, put a smile on my face:) The run was Awesome. People were looking at me funny when I started to do sprints with the stroller- HEY a girl gots to do what a girl gots to do!
ReplyDeleteHi Aly, so funny, but after reading your first post, my immediate thought as a mom was, i wonder if she got her daughter to sleep!! I sooo know that feeling. Sounds like you still made the best of the situation. I think that finding ourselves and making the most of the "I" is one of the reasons why I went back to school. When I wasn't taking care of someone, when I had free time, I really didn't know what to do. I knew that I loved to read, and that I am an information seeker, but really had no direction. So, going back to school has really helped me to discover myself, and what I am passionate about.
ReplyDeleteHi Aly,
ReplyDeleteSprints with the stroller, love it. You just never mind those looks and keep right on going. :)
After reading your post and then Stacy's, I may have to go back and rethink mine. When my girls were growing up, it was all about them and my husband(ex). I don't of course regret a single minute of it, and but now I'm single again and it for the first year it was all about me. Now maybe it's time to branch out to the "worldly". I'm really feeling very out of control concentrating on a feeble personal relationship at the moment, and maybe that's because I need to reach out to others? Nice post, I think I just got some insight.
Hi Aly,
ReplyDeleteI think we're too busy taking care of others that we forgot the "I" which is very important. Because without the "I" we won't be able to help others the way we want to. I am focusing on my worldly flourishing now since I think I have given "me and myself" so much attention this past few years. Now I am ready to branch out and share my love to everybody. Well actually, I am doing that already and it is easier when you are happy and contented within . Well, good luck. Can't wait to hear the result of your search.
FIRST OFF I LOVE THE PICTURE OF THAT WATER TO ME WATER CALMS ME I STILL DO NOT KNOW WHY BUT EVERYTIME I DO THE MEDITATION IT TAKES ME TO WATER. YOU WILL FIND YOUR (I) TIME. ALL MOTHERS FIND THEY NEED THIS AND IT IS OKAY TO FEEL YOU WANT IT MORE ON SOME DAYS THEN OTHERS. I LOVE IT YOU SAID TO LET THE BABY RUN TOO AS THEY NEED TO RUN OFF THERE ENERGY SOME AS WELL AS MOM DOES. I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST. THANK YOU
ReplyDeletePhysically, I have the "I" figured out. Mentally, I am getting there. Spiritually, the "I" in the past 3 days has came from a 2 on the # scale to a 7. Taking time to think about "I" but not in a selfish manner, a way that places me in this world for a particular reason- I guess that could also be viewed as a "all of us"....but the "I" is included. I'm happy with my development.
ReplyDeleteAly,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the only thing on the news is bad news. I think it is because the bad knews is what cathches peoples attention. Don't worry about what other things you like to do other than exercising and making people happy. Aly, making people happy is a great thing and maybe you do not have much to write about what you like doing because caring for your children and making others smile is good enough for you. I think that this is a big thing, but if you feel that you are still lacking, i hope that meditation will help you on your journey to finding yourself.