Unit 4

As with guided imagery, I have a difficult time staying focused while listening to guided meditation.  I can relax much better when I am simply listening to nature sounds such as ocean waves, a thunderstorm, a stream, birds, etc. I do this at night sometimes when I can’t seem to relax; but when a person’s voice is placed over these sounds, it blows my concentration and focus.  This process works for some people, so I can’t say I would or wouldn’t recommend it to others, I just know that it doesn’t work for me.  I do know that exercising the mind, practicing kindness and compassion can change the thought process and change our attitudes. These types of changes require practice because sadly, for most of us, it isn’t a natural mindset.  We have been raised to be negative, judgmental, and perhaps even cynical.  I have several things I do to foster my psychological health, I have affirmations posted around my living space to remind me to make healthy choices, I try to keep a journal, (but this is usually only when I am in a negative frame of mind, it is sort of a purge, once I get the thoughts out on “paper” they tend to dissipate), and I continually remind myself to be thankful for all the blessings in my life.  One thing that helps me to become centered and find peace is practicing yoga, it requires so much focus, so much concentration on what I am doing at that moment, I am forced to give up the thoughts that crowd my head during the day, for others it may be running, or working out in other ways, but physical exercise (or even physical work) that require focus and determination helps still the mind for many people.

My life and my psychological health are a work in progress, which I believe is true for everyone, we don’t reach a point where we can stop practicing, because there are always things in life working against our peacefulness.