Reflections (Unit 3)

Hello Everyone! It has been awhile, but I'm back!!

I would definitely say that I am not at my optimal level of well being by any standards.  In fact, if I had to be honest I would put myself at a 7 on a scale of 1-10.  Physically, I could lose a few pounds, the 30 or so pounds I put on the last year and a half from eating unhealthy food and not exercising has taken its toll.  I just feel more tired, sluggish after work and it just is hard to stay motivated to exercise.  I'm slowly working my way back to exercising regularly. 

Spiritually, I'm not exactly sure.  I can't say that I am a very religious person.  I don't attend church or pray, but rather am still searching for something.  I try to do good for myself and for others. 

Psychologically, I never felt better.  I was having a very difficult time for a period of about six years about ten or so years ago.  I had a traumatic experience that I just had to get over and it took a long time for me to get out it.  I was a very negative, depressed and dark person and I felt and probably looked it too.  I started having anxiety attacks.  I developed a bad cigarette smoking/drinking habit.  I don't think I really cared about myself at that period of my life.  I had to gain my confidence in myself back and take control of my life.  With the help of a Psychologist and great family and friends, I was able to do that. 

My goal physically is just to eat healthier, keep away from the junk food, eat smaller meals and exercise regularly, four times a week on my Wii.  My goal spiritually would be to read up on the subject more.  I think I seem to find myself more in tuned to Eastern philosophy and religion at this point in my life.  For my psychological goal I would just try not to dwell on negative things too much in my life.  I found it just brings me down.  Life is going to happen, the good, the bad, but we make our own personal choices on what route to take as we learned from Dacher in this unit with Integral Healing. 

Until the next time. . .

Wishing Everyone A Very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Hello Everyone-
Just wanted to wish you ALL a happy, healthy holiday season.  I'm sure from now until after the new year, we will all have ate way to much, drank one too many cocktails, but had an awesome time with family and friends.  Be safe & enjoy the Winter Break!!

-808IslandGirl

East becomes West & West becomes East

Hello Everyone!!
   I'm back.  I took a short hiatus from blogging since nothing substancial came to mind regarding the subject of health and wellness the last couple of days.  Although, today, the reading from this unit mentioned how "the East is now witnessing a rise in materialism, and the West is now experiencing interest in the mind and spirit" (Dacher, 2006, p. 25).  I wonder how this shift in thinking will affect both cultures in the long run?  Will they both eventually become balanced?  
According to the text, the forgotten half of human existence will reassert itself.  So, what exactly does this mean?  It does not seem promising that either culture will become balanced, but will have to continue their journey to seek health and wellness through other means.  Anyone have any ideas regarding this subject?  

-808IslandGirl    

Contemplating Yin and Yang

Welcome to DAY TWO of my new blog. 

Today I'm contemplating the concept of Yin and Yang.  Yin and Yang is all about balance.  The Yin and Yang symbol is widely recognized in both the East and Western cultures.  I've been trying to incorporate this concept in my life for some time now.  Although, I can't say that I'm entirely good at it or even on the right track.  I mean who can actually say that all things in their lives are well balanced, not me.  I'm so unbalanced it's not even funny.  My life is one extreme to the next.    According to the article, The Concept of Yin and Yang Theory by Rachel Mork, "According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, balance is essential for healthful living".  This means you must have a balanced lifestyle, a balanced diet, the energy in your body must be balanced and your environment must have balance.  In other words, Yin and Yang affects every part of our lives. 

The trouble is finding balance throughout every aspect in our lives.  It can be difficult juggling a  full-time job, a family along with one demanding, but cute pooch, being a full-time student and trying to eat healthy and exercise all at the same time.  I'm sure some people are just naturals and have everything all figured out, but for those individuals like me it can be exhausting just thinking about it.  I can be doing great at work and at school, working hard at studying and at my job, but then be too tired to exercise when I get home.  So, instead of exercising, we eat dinner late since I have to cook when I get home from work, then pass out in front of the tv after dinner on the couch. 
Okay, I know some of you know what I'm talking about.  This is life as I know it just about every day except for the occasional "I'm feeling guilty" workout that I throw in now and then on my Wii.  The bottom line to the Yin and Yang concept is that it is a matter of finding the balance between everything going on in our lives.  I'm hoping I will get there eventually, but if any of you get to that Yin and Yang point in your life first, let me know.  Much thanks in advance.

Welcome ALL

Welcome ALL To My Yin & Yang Life!!
Let me introduce myself. . .my name is Jill Honda.  I was born, raised and currently reside in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu, "Aloha!" everyone. 

To get you all up to speed on my life in a nutshell right now. . .I'm thirty-somethingish, not married just yet, but currently working on it.   I live with my fiance and favorite canine companion, Coco, my three year old Chihuahua/Fox Terrier.  I am currently in hot pursuit of a career change at this point in my life which is why my goal is to graduate this coming April with a B.S. degree in Applied Behavioral Science.  I would like to work with seniors to help improve their quality of life.  I came to this revelation last year when I spent a lot of time with my grandmother at the nursing home before she passed away early this year.  I wanted to do something with my life that had more meaning to me so I started thinking of changing my goals.  My life in retail management for the past 15 years just isn't cutting it for me anymore, I'm moving towards throwing in the towel and calling it quits.  This journal/blog assignment will be my chance to explore some concepts of healing and wellness through psychological and spiritual aspects that will hopefully give me more insight to help me along my journey.  If I am able to find balance in my life as well, even better.

-808 Island Girl