I want to start first in saying the meditation has improved my overall well-being. I am calmer and I feel better each time I work on it. Meeting Asciepius was an interesting exercise of visualization and breathing. I still struggle with the visualization because my mind wonders off into "my to do list" and I lose the focus needed. Currently I am stronger in the mediation when I a told to focus on a tangible item, like my breathing. I will continue to work with the visual methods as I continue practicing.
Next, my decoder ring is ready and I am deciphering the phrase "one cannot lead another where one has not gone himself”. This means that you really can't expect someone to follow your advice if you don't follow your own. This is very true. I am a reforming skeptic and generally need some type of example when it comes to a new process or exercise. I find it hard to believe someone if they have never experienced they thing they are telling me. One example that comes to mind is how some people without children try to tell you how to raise children. They has such ideals, like we all did before we experienced the joys and trials of parenthood. I find it difficult to trust their advice, because I feel they have no idea. If I were to tell a patient to go and meditate and never used it myself, it makes the treatment less credible. The goal in our profession is to help health holistically, so we should have some insight about the practices we prescribe. I feel it is our obligation to provide a good example to patients and work toward holistic health in ourselves. It proves to be more believable and patients can use our experience as a stepping stone in their process.
How can I or what will I do to make this happen? Good question. First, my education guides me to learn about the topics and apply them while in class, but the main thing is to stick with it and use what I preach. I want to continue meditation, but I also need to find other tools to help me improve me. I have a lot of leaks and tattered walls, but each day I work on something to improve me. A patch here and a patch there; it is a step in the right direction.
Thanks for reading!
Kris
