Unit 3 My Health and Wellness

I pause to reflect on the state of my health and wellness and find that my ratings, on a scale of one to ten include:

A.  Physical wellness . . . 8.  I am up there in years of experience and have sufficient joy, pleasure, stress and distress to fill about three separate lifetimes.  In spite of this my physical health is very good; but I have the goal of improving my present state so that I can enjoy the equivalent of at least one or two more "lifetimes".

B.  Spiritual wellbeing . . . 10.  I started out during the 1970s exploring alternate realities some of which were very enlightening; others that were very risky.  Then, at the height of my experimentation I discovered the name of Jesus and found out that He was not just "the white man's god"; but the cause, the reason, and the Savior of the world.  I walked this path for many years in church and "Christian" activities.  Then after my wife died, I walked away and underwent seven years of clinical depression.  Then, when I had exhausted all my human strength and resources, I found Him; and in the space of two weeks was freed of the impulses and thoughts of suicide, the mental torment of self-recrimination, and the continual physical symptoms of depression, which included a tension so strong it seemed like electricity coursing through my body.  My life is different now, I have come to realize that being a Christian is not just about acquiring information about the things of God and the Bible; but rather a relationship of love, humility, growth, and the aspiration of serving Him again, but this time for real.

C.  Psychological wellbeing . . . 10.  I have become, and continue becoming a whole person; fully accepting of who I am and aspiring to become the servant that God wants me to be.  I am cleansed of hate, judgement of others, pride and spiritual and intellectual arrogance.  I am very happy now and my family (Two Daughters, their Husbands, and my three Grandchildren) are my life right now.  I am in the legacy stage of life and pursing a degree in Health and Wellness are a part of the legacy and practices I wish to inherit to my children, my children's children, and my generations.


In thinking about my goals in the physical, spiritual and psychological areas; I want to:


A. Physical - Improve my muscle tone and flexibility. I've started on this by weight lifting (for endurance); I plan to expand this by taking a class in Tai Chi.

B. Spiritual - For the last four years, I have made my life's priority to please God; which I understand as loving Him, worshiping Him, sand serving Him. This is something I seek accomplishing through my continued reading of the Ancient Scriptures (Bible); prayer and meditation on his Word, as well as worshipping through praise and adoration expressed through spontaneous song that is born from deep within my heart . . . I define spirituality a little different from the way it is used in our textbook; which (to me) is more about exploring the human capacity for inner/alternate realities, which include visual imagery, meditation and the use of body exercises to access various levels of human inner experience . . . But in tune with the textbook definition of spirituality, I seek to develop my capacity for inner experience through learning to apply Eastern techniques that can help me access deeper levels of self awareness; learning to direct intention for the purpose of health and healing; and learning techniques that I can introduce to my patients.

C. Psychological - I am seeking my psychological and intellectual self-development through seeking my degree in Health and Wellness as a means to become more involved in helping others achieve their desire for an improved existence here on Earth.

Journey on . . .

I've not been able to access the weblink containing the track for Unit 3's Exercise; I got a bit anxious about it and tried different things with my computer; but no success.  Perhaps the link will be accessible later . . . In the meantime, I did the Subtle Mind Exercises from the CD The Path to Human Flourishing:

I found myself on the beach in Northern California, I was 21 again, and with the most Christ-like person I had ever known up to then.  His name was Father Bernard Menard, a Quebecois, and an Oblate of Mary Imaculate.

We had communion on the beach; a loaf of bread and a bottle of California Merlot.  I could hear someone playing the flute somewherere; unseen.  I recalled his soothing voice, and how he held is open palms just a few inches from my ears, as I looked within and realized that Christ was mine; my Lord.  I was now in love with God, and realized how worthy the experience of life is and that I would never be the same again.  We made candles in the sand, adorned with seashells and driftwood.  The sun was setting in the sea, and he said, "Look inside; it is just as beautiful in there".  And it was. Eyes closed, the waves of the ocean's sound, the flute in the distance;  like a Native Flute.  Yes, I was discovering who I was in God, and yet I was not being called to abandon my people nor my culture.  I experienced the awe and greatness of being a Human Being.

And now, back in my study, laying on a mattress, I realize that the same feelings and thoughts I experienced when I was 21 that summer, are still with me after all these years; with one difference . . . That difference is in my capacity to hold and have so much love to give to those around me.  I wish I had known that then; life  would have been so much different.   But now, the me I was is here and I am able to dedicate my thoughts, my actions, my intentions to be a greater blessing to others.  Now, I hear not only the Native Flute; but also a Symphony!  It is Wonderful to be alive.