Unit 6: Loving-kindness & Integral Assessment

Practicing the loving-kindness exercise brought about a warm “hugged” feeling. I attribute this to the sentences being very familiar to morning prayer and mindfulness focus during meditation. In daily routine, the day is began by offering whatever is possessed to anyone in need. Throughout the day brief periods of meditation provide a much needed re-centering, again this is directed to help those I am in contact with rather than becoming overwhelmed by their need.

The integral assessment offered opportunity to focus in and objectively evaluate current status. Some weeks really are better than others. At this point, I believe self-regulation and health promotion need immediate attention. Generally, health is good with no major complaints except fatigue. However, a closer look would reveal this is the calm before the storm. Nutrition is excellent and fitness is very good, but the physical being is pushed beyond capabilities daily. When at home high demands/work load take 9-10 hours of physical activity daily (including community outreach). Also, another 2+ hours of additional evaluation and research is needed. One to two hours a day is needed for parents (communication, doctor conference calls, etc.). Three to four hours are applied to school and what is left of the day must cover all personal needs. One weekend day is taken to be with husband and “catch-up” on everything else, the other day is school. Every 3-4 weeks this schedule is changed to one placing me as primary caregiver for parents 24/7 for 2-3 weeks at a time. During time available distance work and school demands are still met. Now the one or two hour break is spent in communication with husband, giving support as needed. This is the proverbial “burning the candle at both ends” but no end is in sight. The biological detriment will occur, so now is the time to address the issue before this happens. Some changes in fitness routines are already helping. Thanks to this class a return to contemplative practices and scheduled relaxation time, revitalization is occurring. I believe improving self-regulation will assist in health promotion and provide the insight to function better rather than working harder. I know there are people with many more responsibilities than mine; I applaud their abilities. At the same time, I am very grateful for the levels achieved in other life aspects. Those balances have allowed maintenance of these demands.