Saturday, November 8, 2014

Unit 8-Mental fitness, Practices review


I know I am repeating myself but I have to say it again. This class has contributed a bunch to my well-being and my mental health. Over the 8 weeks, I have practiced several exercises and I kept repeating them often. I actually adopted as a daily routine the Loving Kindness exercise and the calm abiding practice.
The calm abiding practice brings relaxation and disconnects me from the daily troubles and stress. It allows me to clear my mind and think about what really matters, on thing at the time.
The Loving Kindness exercise is easy for the first part where all the loved ones are being reviewed and invited to the “party”. It gets hard when I have to invite my enemies and forgive them, wish them well and bless them. I have been able to implement these exercises into my life as a clear mind can make the right decisions and a soul who is at peace and has no grudges, hard feelings resides in a healthy body. It might sound selfish but forgiveness makes me feel good. Kindness opens my heart and though vulnerable, I know that I am doing the right thing and I am at peace.
Implementing these two practices in my personal life is easy and I enjoy it very much. Applying it to my professional life, it is also easy. As a Personal chef, I deal with people in their most vulnerable state, hungry people. I enter their kitchen and sort of enter their most private domain. To be able to put them at ease, I need to show calmness, trust, love and kindness. If I can reflect these through my actions and words, they will embrace me and accept me. It will also make my cooking session easier as I think with a clear mind. I often took a few minutes before entering work to meditate, take deep breaths and relax.
Love and kindness sharpens the feelings and the senses. When at peace with myself, I can sense everything better, think better, make better decisions and love better. Mental fitness comes with practice and doing it every day, it will sharpen the senses, clear the mind and bring focus not only to mind but to life.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Shirley,

    As usual your posting was very insightful and I share the same feeling you do about the loving kindness exercise. Best of wishes to you and how amazing does it feel to share your gift of creating amazing dishes for others.

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  2. Shirley,

    I believe the inner peace and love you are feeling will show through in the food you prepare. I commend your dedication for putting these practices into your life daily. The commitment you have given to making a change within you will show through in all your relationships and your total life. I to have had great resolve from these practices and hope to grow more.

    Danya

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    Replies
    1. Shirley, I truely enjoy reading your post. They are very uplifting. I believe the same about the loving kindness exercise. I think you are a true blessing to others in doing what you do. Keep up the good work and blessings to you.

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