Unit 7

Complete the Meeting Aesclepius mp3 (located in the Doc Sharing area). Describe your meditative practices for the week and discuss the experience. Explain how mindfulness or meditation has fostered an increase in your psychological or spiritual wellness. How can you continue to apply these practices in your life to foster greater health and wellness?

Aesclepius would be my son, LJ. Even at the young age he has inspired me by his love for life. Everything is new and he takes it all in. His desire to learn and use his scenses that most of us take for granted everyday is amazing to me. It reminds me how little things in life are not so little after all, they are certainly a big deal. I know that if I woke up one morning and couldn't see, smell, taste, or hear, I would be scared and would want the ability to do what I had lost back. Mindfulness meditation has helped me appreciate life more and not take for granted its beauty that we experience everyday. I can continue to foster greater health and wellness by applying my gratitude in more areas in my life. Making each day count and not taking life for granted, "taking time to smell the roses."

Describe the saying: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" (p.477). How does this apply to the health and wellness professional? Do you have an obligation to your clients to be developing your health psychologically, physically, and spiritually? Why or why not? How can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in your personal life?

I cannot advise someone of something that I have not experienced myself. I have never expereienced anything close to their emotions, thoughts, or feelings. If I can't relate from my own experience then I can't advise them of anything to help them. I do have an obligation to patients that I work with on developing my health psychologically, physically, and spiritually. Actions speak louder than words and they will relate to me based on how I treat them. I can implement psychological and spiritual growth in my personal life by prayer and meditation. I have to give my mind and body the time to balance and focus.