"UNIT 10 ON MY WAY TO A BRAND NEW ME"

         "LOOK OUT WORLD HERE I COME"

My Unit 3 Assessment has not changed a  bit now that we have drawn to a close in this course. I believe that you continue to learn and grow, and you never outgrow, because there is so much more to learn about ourselves. This is why I can say that things have not changed, and that I am striving to become all that I can be, and do what I can to be an example.

When this class began, I did not know what to expect. It was a different class, that brought about many challenges. As time went on and the weeks passed, I noticed that there were things I was not aware of and I needed a change in my lifestyle. Physically, I have been  exercising more, and eating better. I have noticed that I have lost a couple of pounds...yay for me!! I am very proud of that, and that was a challenge in itself. 

Spiritually, I want to go over the 10 mark. You see 10 for me is not perfection, I want to press even for a higher goal. I continue to read my bible, and pray daily. During my meditation time I find myself thinking more about others who need healing and deliverance, and I want my life to be an example to them. I find myself meditating on a regular basis, which was something I did not do.The only time I would meditate was during my worship time. Now, I meditation time is a household word in my family. Which means everyone takes a part in it. My husband right now does not see any sense in it, so me and my kids do it. It has helped them, and my Godbaby goes to sleep....AH...I can catch my breath at least for a little while until she wakes up again...lol!! Being able to feel a peace in my inner self, where even my children notice is a plus. My daughter Angel thanks you...Mom does not yell as  much anymore...lol!!

Psychologically, I have not changed, because I am still at 8. My clan are still making me laugh, and I am still yelling, but I know that it is healthy to laugh and to enjoy yourself. So far its been a course has been a great experience for me. This class has really enlightened me, and opened my eyes up that I can notice little things creeping in, like frustration, anger, discouragement, and i will go to my tools and read and say to myself, "Now Linda what does Dacher say about this". 

This class has really brought a change in me, and even though the new me is still under construction, I am just being fined tuned so that I can continue to excel in my future. Best wishes to all of my classmates, I enjoyed the discussions, and blogs, and if you would like to stay in touch with me, here is my email address: lnd_coney@yahoo.com

God Bless You All!

Linda

                                          UNIT 9 FINAL PROJECT

                      "MY PERSONAL MASTER PLAN FOR GROWTH" 

      

I. INTRODUCTION:

Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically? What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself?

It is very important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically, because the only way they can understand their clients, is to have gone through the practices/exercises themselves. To be a health and wellness professional, you should be able to explain what integral health is. Being able to understand where the client is coming from, is vitally important. The Health Professional is responsible to the client, to help them get on the right path, to feeling good again. Integral Health is self-generated and self-cultivated, that leads to a comprehensive, holistic, and far reaching healing of body, mind, and spirit and that is immune to life's adversities, including disease, aging, and death, (Dacher, 2006, pg.).

The areas that I need to develop to achieve the goals I have are:

Spiritually - Grow Deeper in my meditation, where I can focus so that my mind, body, and spirit, can relax completely and I can have that peaceful feeling for a longer period ot time. I love feeling refreshed, and full of energy when I come out of meditation. I just want more, time in prayer, and time with God. I know that this will also help me to develop and grow deeper in my relationship with Christ.

Physically - I want to be more healthier than I am, and stay that way. Exercising, and keeping fit. So that I can be able to help others. I want to be fit for my family and friends, and enjoy life a long time. A part of that also is to eat healthier. Watch the calories, and eat the right foods, and drinking more water. Always stay away from eating late at night, because you gain weight that way. Getting plenty of sleep is one thing that will also help you physically.

Psychologically - I want to develop in this area more, so that my mind can finally be healed of things that may keep me from integral growth. Things from the past, such as abuse, rape, being molested. Which are things that can leave a you scarred. The mind, plays tricks, and sometimes, flashbacks come to make you feel as though you cannot come out of this. So this is an area, that I need healing in. I have come a long way, with my strong faith in God, and my family and friends, but I still want to be healed completely.

II. ASSESSMENT: 
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?

i think that I have done really well spiritually, but in the physically, and psychological areas, I need more help. I want to do better, and if I reach 10 in an area, I want to go over the ten and keep climbing. I feel that you can never do enough, when it comes to working on you. I always see areas that need improvement in me. I want to be successful in every area.

Spiritually - (10) This are is one of my strongest areas. I have always been a strong believer in the faith. Now that I am an Evangelist, Prophetess, and Pastor, there is a love for my heavenly Father, like no other. I am not satisfied in this area, I want more. It is an area, where I want to go that extra, extra mile.

Physically - (6) This area is not a very strong area for me. There has been so much that has happened in my life since I began in this course. So I have been behind in my walking, and I have not been eating like I should. I have not really had an appetite. I know that it is due to stress and worry. . There has been much sickness in my family, and to top it all. My marriage will not survive this year. So physically, right now, I need help. I get some time in, but not like I should.  I am losing weight, and it is because I am stressed right now. I do know if I keep praying, and trusting in God, and with the help of family, and friends, I will get through this.

Psychologically - (8) Believe it or not, what is keeping me together in this area is  GOD! I love Jesus, because when nobody cared, he loved me! This is what helps me to focus. I need more help in this area, because sometimes, when I am thinking about the things that I have gone through, I get very sad. I know it will be ok. I just need help to get my mind out of that moment immediately when it goes there. I hope you can understand me! Maybe, you all have some suggestions for me. I will appreciate it so much.

III. GOAL DEVELOPMENT: 
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.

Spiritually -  To grow more, in my faith and walk with GOD.


Physically-   To exercise more and not worry.


Psychologically - To stay focus, and watch for distractions.

IV. PRACTICES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH: 
What strategies can you implement to foster growth in each of the following domains; Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual. Provide at least two examples of exercises or practices in each domain. Explain how you will implement each example

Spiritually - I am already reading the Bible more, and doing research, cross-referencing scripture, to give me more insight, and spending more time with God. This will help me grow more in the faith, and draw closer to God.

Physically -  I am eating healthier, and exercising more.

Psychologically - I continue to use the practice/exercises in the course. This will help me focus more on meditation/give me a peaceful/stress free atmosphere.

V. Commitment: 
How will you assess your progress or lack of progress in the next six months? What strategies can you use to assist in maintaining your long-term practices for health and wellness?

In the next six months, I plan to keep a track on my progress, by monitoring on a daily basis, and comparing what I have learned, to where I am now. Observing if I have reached my goals, or if I still more work. I will always remind myself of these things. To always watch out for distractions, and stay focus. and also:

"The fruits of human flourishing --health, happiness and wholeness---are the direct results  of an integral approach to life", (Dacher, 2006, pg. 135).

References

Dacher, S., Elliot, "Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing", (2006), Basic Health Publications, Inc., Laguna Beach, California

Linda

UNIT 8 EXERCISES AND PRACTICE SESSIONS

As I reflect on the various practices and meditations that we have experienced in this course. It was a hard choice for me, because I enjoyed all of them. I do have more than two favorites. The two that I enjoyed the most would be the loving kindness and Meeting  Aesclepius. I believe that these two I benefited the most from. I use these practices on a daily basis,  because I know they work for me. I have seen a difference in my life and my health is better than it was.

LOVING KINDNESS PRACTICE

The Loving Kindness practice has been a tool that I use which helps me with my spiritual growth and spending time with God will help to make us complete and healthy. I often meditate, and pray daily, and this practice just adds to my meditation tools. I need to be fit spiritually, and this is a great way to do it. When your life is full with an enormous amount of "Love", it will spread to others in your life. The Loving Kindness practice is a powerful tool, that I use on a daily basis, to keep my inner self, my mind, and my spirit calm, and stress free. I am able to help others face the challenges in their life. Being in Ministry does bring may challenges, and you meet many people who have not been shown love, and this tool has helped me to be able to have the confidence to show love to those suffering, and going through many problems in their lives. I love to help people, and do my best to make them smile, letting them know that a brighter day is coming.

MEETING AESCULAPIUS MP3

All I can say about this practice is....WOW! This was a visualization meditation which strengthens the love you already possess in your heart. Very refreshing, different, and I like that This practice has helped me to be able to deal with stressful situations in my life. Through this practice I have seen for myself the change in me. I am more calm, and I am more energized and I can feel it. It is impossible to do these exercise on a daily basis and not get any results. I am mentally fit, and capable of handling any challenge that comes my way. Being able to have the confidence to know I can reach others, who maybe or stressed or have lost someone close to them.  Being able to cope when things seem as though you cannot make it.

In our world today, it is good to know that we have these practices/ so that we can reach others. So much negativity in this world, and I want to show others that if we stay positive, and are healthy in our mind, body, and spirit, we will be able to conquer anything that is put before us.

God gives us inner peace, and  this means a lot to our spiritual side, and if we are whole and healthy inward, it will soon show up on the outside.

                               "UNIT 7  Meeting Aesclepius mp3"

This was a wonderful exercise and I really enjoyed every moment of it. I was so very relaxed and peaceful. It was very refreshing. To be able to sit, and think of a loved or someone I loved that I was very fond of and then replace myself with their aspects. Meditation has helped me to release stress, and release my anger and frustrations. I now do meditation practices on a daily basis, which keeps  me on track mentally, spiritually, and physically, The best time for me to meditate is around 9p. m. So for I have noticed that if I am too stressed, I cannot meditate, or focus because of the distractions. I have also noticed when I am not distracted, I get the full benefit of these practices, and I feel energized and whole.

   

             
  "ONE CANNOT LEAD ANOTHER WHERE ONE HAS NOT GONE HIMSELF"                                                                                

 This sounds like one of my Moms' and Grandmas' sayings.  I think this means that cannot lead someone where you  have not been yourself. How can I lead you tothe pool to swim, and I do not know how to swim either. My Parents would always tell us that "we can lead the horse to the water, but we cannot make it drink the water".

This applies to health and wellness, because you can only tell someone about it, and the effects the practices have had on your life because you have 'tried it yourself. I do have an obligation to my clients, because I have to be in shape physically, mentally, and spiritually in order to deal with situations in their life. I must be an example to them. I can implement psychological and spiritual growth in my personal life, by daily doing the practices, as a devotional. Which will keep me strong, and fit, in my mind, body and spirit.

                                                                                  

                                                                            

TRANSFORMING INTO A NEW AND BETTER YOU

In order to change for the better, we must transform, by using exercises like Integral Assessment and Universal Loving kindness (meditation) Exercise. I have  had a very stressful week, seems like when one thing happens something else is coming up. I was not able to focus on anything this week. I have so much that I am dealing with. I am not going to quit, but I am going to stand. I will attempt to do the the integral assessment again. Maybe when I get some things settled I can do the exercise again, with an open mind. 

                                 
 THE LOVING KINDNESS (MEDITATION) EXERCISE 

When attempting to do this exercise, it was very difficult for me to get into it. I could not focus at all. I thought it would be like the other loving kindness exercise, but it was extremely difficult for me. I guess I needed to listen to the sounds of the seashore. Maybe I am just spoiled, but to me sounds of the water, or the tropical rain forest. When I get a chance to do these two exercise again, I will definitely give you all an update on my progress. Hopefully, it will be a good one! The area that I have chosen to be a focus of growth and development would be the world.  I want my life to bring an impact on someone's life, and make a difference in my surroundings , neighborhoods, communities. I want to reach out and help those in need. We have so many that are hurting, depressed, oppressed, victims of abuse, etc., and I want to reach out to them. One of the reasons I came to Kaplan University, was to study Psychology/Behavioral Analysis. I want to know the why? and when?,  and what?that makes a person  behave the way they do.  As I learn, more about the mind, body, spirit and meditation/integral healing, I will be able to help many that I counsel right now.  I have already given the Loving Kindness mp3 tape to a couple who have been hurt by loved ones, and life in general. So far it is helping them to release some things and not be so uptight, but calm and full of peace. I know this exercise will help many, because it helped me. 

Subtle Mind vs Loving Kindness

When I began the subtle mind exercise I really enjoyed listening to the sound of the water. Just the thought of listening to water, just makes me want to drift..lol! I just had problems staying focus on my breathing and not allowing my mind to wander off. I really do not know why, but every time I tried to focus...I could smell popcorn...or I would get lost thinking about some ministry trip. I believe that this exercise is one that I am going to do again, because I feel that it is suppose to help every area in me....I like both of the tapes, but I think that the loving kindness for me was great, because I got to pull a lot of the hurt that I was feeling away from me, at the time I was going through a lot of pain, trying to deal with going through an abusive divorce after almost 20 years. I was so peaceful in the loving kindness exercise and while I was listening to my the water..a sense of calmness and peace fell on me. I think also I was more relaxed. Also, a loved one in my family had recently passed, and I was able to let go of the pain I felt during his passing.

The connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness is manifested through my personal life in everything I do. Each and every day, I pray, read my Bible, and do my best to encourage, uplift, and help to strengthen others where they have been torn down. Even for me, I am not up to par all the time, and I need others to help me along the way. My strong faith in God, and good friends, and family, help me to stay strong, spiritually, mentally and physically. I need to be healthy and whole. So I have to always work on myself in these areas.

Working It Out of My System.....Unit 4 Loving Kindness Exercise

When I began the Loving Kindness Exercise, I often check out my surroundings, you know what stands out on the tape that captures my hearing. I love the sound of water, reminds me of the times when I was a little girl, and I would play in the water, listening to the sounds. I was so relaxed, and it was not hard for me to become a part of this exercise. When I listen to worship music and begin to meditate on the Word of God. I cannot wait to get into HIS presence. Give me a peace of mind, like I have never experienced in my life. This exercise did a wonder for me tonight. I was very stressed out, my brother-in-law passed away and we had his services this weekend, and I was able to let all the pain and hurt I was feeling out. I can feel a great release, now that I have let everything go. There is a sense of peace and calmness about me. I really feel good. Yes, yes, yes, I have benefited from this exercise, and I have already told some of my family and other friends about this exercise.When I find something good, I always share!.... Just thought I mentioned...that I was so relaxed...I fell asleep, and then woke up. listening to the water....as the tape was heading toward the end...Wow!! I do not know about anyone else...I can hear the rain, and instantly want to take a nap. Is there anyone out there who has felt the same way?....I know it may not be normal, but it seems to me like the rain brings peace and calmness to my spirit, and I am so relaxed....Your thoughts!

Mental Workout means that we must work our minds through exercise. This helps to open up the mind, so that we can get rid of all that junk, so that we concentrate, so that our minds can be open to truth and wisdom of our human existence. Many times we workout physically, and do not even think of giving our mind a workout. I often do brain teasers, word puzzles and things of this nature to keep the memory going, but I never thought about an exercise that brings a calmness and peace to the mind. This is what we need to help us psychologically. I mean, sometimes, we are overworked and stressed. Many become depressed, oppressed, and suppressed and exercises like these are what we need to help the mind calm down, so that we can release those negative thoughts, or feelings of hurt and pain, which cause worry, fear, and doubt, if you do not release them.

Linda

 REFLECTIONS

Unit 3

 Rating my Physical, Spiritual and Psychological Well Being

On a scale from 1 - 10, I rate myself physical well being a 8, because I am healthy. I do not take any kind of medications for anything. There are sometimes when I do get a headache from pollen or a stressful day that I need an aspirin. I have been eating right, and doing my best to stay fit. To tell you the truth, between my kids, and my nieces and nephews, I am staying in shape...lol!! They have so much energy to burn. I exercise by, playing volleyball, and badminton. You know I still got it going on..!!My goal in this area, is to keep striving for perfection. I have a certain weight that I want to be and I am pushing myself to get there.

Spiritually I rate myself a 10. This is one area that I work on really hard. To always pray and meditate on the Word of God, and other things that will help me to stay positive. Always encouraging others, and doing what I can to always "KEEP IT REAL". In Ministry, I see so many hurting people, and want to be a positive example in their life. Letting them know that by staying focus, and meditating daily, with positive thoughts, you can make it.  I am a Believer. My goal is to continue to be an example for others, letting them know that whatever situations they face, even though it may seem dark, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Psychologically I rate myself  an 8. Even though, I have never been in an Institution for any mental disorder. A day here with the "CONEY" family, makes you wanna yell and scream at the top of your lungs..lol!! I have so much fun with my family, because with all of the joking, clowning around, and laughing until your stomach hurts, you cannot get depressed because there is never a dull moment as long as my kids are here!!...When it is quiet, I can say that I enjoy it so much Ahhh!! Sometimes, I don't know what to do when it is that quiet. I do not have any phobias, but I am afraid of spiders and snakes,,,,My goal is to stay healthy mentally, and do my best to live a stress free life...yeah right....I know, but I am going to try anyway!!

Journey to Relaxation

My journey to relaxation was a battle in itself. The more I tried to relax, I just could not. So I tried to do the exercise on another day, when I was not so busy. On this particular day, I was very stressed out, and needed to relax. When I began the exercise, I said, this is really not going to work, and was just gonna stop the tape. I continued anyway, and as I began to listen, my mind, began to just listen to the background, while the man continued to talk. I was so surprised, that I started to feel relaxed. The next thing I knew, it was toward the middle of the exercise, and my arms were heavy, and I really did not feel like moving them. Now what happened next, I am ashamed to say, because I fell asleep, and I do not think I was suppose to do that...lol!! All I know is when I woke up, it was several hours later......and I was feeling really good, and stress free!!

About Me

Hello Everyone,
My name is Linda Perry Coney. I live in Amite, Louisiana. I am about 45 minutes from Baton Rouge. I have 3 children, Nigel, Angel, and Gabrielle. They are so precious to me. I enrolled here at Kaplan in 2010, and I am 49 years old. I love this school, and my Professors. I am studying and working on my BA in Psychology with my focus on Behavioral Analysis I am thinking about going for my Masters. I am an Evangelist/Prophet, and I do a lot of traveling. I love ministering to people, and I enjoy working with children with disabilities. I also love writing poems and songs, and soon I will be writing my first book soon...I am very excited about that.