1. Based on your reflections, and on a scale of 1 to 10 (ten being optimal wellbeing), where do you rate your A-physical wellbeing, B-spiritual well-being, C-psychological well-being? Why?
2. Develop a goal for yourself in each area (physical, spiritual, psychological).
3. What activities or exercise can you implement in your life to assist in moving toward each goal?
4. Complete the relaxation exercise The Crime of the Century. To hear this exercise, click here. Describe your experience. (What it beneficial? Frustrating? etc.)
On a scale from 1-10 here is what I have rated my wellbeing in the areas of physical, spiritual and psychological wellbeing.
For physical wellbeing I am a 7 because I am nowhere near in the shape I was when I was a Marine. I could back pack for 20 miles a day with a 50 pound back pack in ruff terrain. After having children I have become very soft. I feel accomplished when I get a 5 mile hike in and that is with a 20 pound back pack. My oldest daughter Megan Doe Eyes is now in California going to college so my youngest daughter Robin Little Fawn and I have started hiking at a faster pace and going even in the rain. I chose not to take my girls hiking in all-weather before because my oldest suffered from asthma.
I would say that I am a 9 for spiritual wellbeing. I have been to almost every kind of Christian church from the high liturgical mass of Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian to some really spirit filled churches like Assemblies of God and Church of God. I have even been to something very strange called Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall. All I can say is they all seem to have a running theme that is you are going to Hell if you don’t do everything they think is right. Each one of them interprets the Bible differently and none of them seem to agree on major points. I have been given visions since I was 3 years old from our Great Creator, Great Mystery or God Almighty whatever it is you choose to call the Great Spirit of all of Creation. My ancestors practiced herbalism and faith healing as well as lying on of hands which in a lot of churches are considered witch craft and yes those narrow minded people have tormented my ancestors and all but wiped out our practices. Strange enough I have been able to incorporate all that I have learned. I believe in one Creator I believe He had a physical son Yeshua that died for my sins and was raised from the dead but that is where the traditional Christian beliefs end and my beliefs from my ancestors begin. I believe that the Son of God visited the Native American Indians and so brought the truth to all of us. To build on the One God one Savior I also believe that we are all part of this life called sacred hoop. There is not one book that holds the answers. The answers are written in our heart.
On the psychological wellbeing I would say I am a 7. I have a lot of anger that I deal with on a daily basis. Many unhappy things happened in the Marine Corps that I deal with and have gone for counseling for. I have dealt with a life filled of racism and condemnation from well meaning “Christians” that were relentless in their finger pointing and constant ridicule on how I am not meeting up to what the Bible says we are supposed to do. They have shunned me when I spoke of visions and even prayed over me saying that I was being deceived by Satan. That God does not give visions only Satan does that God does not allow Christians to practice healing methods or meditation except on the bible scriptures. As a child and teen even into my adult life I was torn over all that I was taught from outsiders. I am now on the RED ROAD and my healing is coming along at an amazing pace.
My goals are simple. I will continue to increase the duration of my hiking in the mountains, ride horses whenever I can (I moved and my Step Father has my horses long story), go swimming in the river daily and camp whenever possible! My spiritual goal is to pray for a spirit guide and live out the vision I received while on a vision quest, continue to practice meditating every day and incorporated the spiritual cleansing ceremonies taught to me by my ancestors. Trust in the Great Creator and thank Him for His Son my savior (look it up if you care to learn more on how God’s beloved son visited the Cherokee tribe as well as all natives). I will follow the medicine wheel path of life which if you are not familiar with that I will download a url in the future that explains it. As far as psychological healing goes that is hand in hand with the physical and spiritual once those are aligned then psychological healing comes. It is the belief of my ancestors that disharmony with the Great Creator is what causes all illness and so spiritual quest must be made before your entire being is well.
The meditation guide for this unit called The Crime of the Century was awesome. I am somewhat familiar with the idea of colored lights representing different things and corresponding with different chakras in some yoga practices so it was easy for me to relax to the meditation. I do not practice chakra healing or any type of Hindu belief but I am familiar with it. I have on many occasions seen different colored lights surrounding people but have not studied what they were supposed to mean. I just saw lights and knew that the Great Creator was healing that part of their body. I do not think all people that practice light study believe this way. I don’t study aurora readings or anything like that it is just a vision I see and that is all. This is so interesting to me however because the very first vision my oldest daughter was given or should I say sight into the supernatural was when the elders had been praying for me after I had a major trauma I passed out once they had laid their hands on me for healing and as I lay on the floor in a vision of healing my daughter started yelling very loudly mommy you are lit up like a Light Bright! She just kept saying that over and over. When I was able to respond to her I asked her what it was she saw. She said from every part of my body glowed a different colored beam of light. She said it was like I was a Light Bright game board. Funny description but because she saw the different lights she said she knew I had been healed. As we believe the Great Creator has 7 spirits of light that are His characteristics. Christians call it a rainbow over the throne of God we just call it colors of Love!
Angel,
ReplyDeleteWhat an impressive and beautifully written post. You are an amazing being and I feel that you have made a positive impact on me through your words. I realize that life throws many things at us and at times it can sweep our feet right out from underneath us. But when we hold on to our faith and are true with who we are, nothing and no one can keep us down. I realize you are dealing with a lot of anger issues. I had to deal with that, too, in my past. I also went through a period when it literally consumed me. However, I did use meditation and my daily prayers to help me see what realy mattered and I also considered the source. You have made incredible stride and you have taken ownership of your life. All I can say is that embrace your faith. Surround yourself with those who share your views. But like life, you will be exposed to those who don't follow. When they say hurtful and silly things, just pray for them. They are the ones that are lost and if you remain the steady light, they just might come back to you. But that time they will be coming with an open heart because they would be in need of help. You are a beautiful being. I am so honored to have been able to share in your experience. You are the light of life because you are loved by others and most importantly, by yourself. Rock on!
HI Angel, I think that your post is great. I commend you for serving in the marine corps. My son also served for the past 4 years and is out now. I could not deal with the pressure of being in the service. I also think that it is great that you are still hiking. I do this whenever I can and it is a great connection with nature and the earth. It is very peacful and relaxing. I view this as a form of meditation as well. Also, I am not very religious at all and grew up in a home where we were catholic but, I have a lot of questions onn the whole thing but, I respect anyone who does believe in their faiths. I actually and interested in the budda practice. I consider myself spiritual but not really religious. you stick to your guns and dont let anyone tell you what is right or wrong in what you believe in. This only creates a lot of pressure and stress that is not good for the body. Finally, I still have some angry with me when I go to work. I work in an environment where no one believes in what I do and it can be fustrating. I work nights at a restaurant that serves very bad greasy foods. But, I have been there for many years now and I am trying to find somehting that has to do with what I am in school for but, there is nothing out there in RI I sometimes get down about it but, I dont want to fall into the negative trap and I catch myself doing it and refocus on my inner being. Would you start to run again? I really like the vibes people have when I am doing a race. I am surrounded by people who are careing and friendly it is a possitive place. You should try and be around people who are supportive in what you do and believe in.
ReplyDeleteI found the Chakra meditation very interesting and helpful. My mind always wonder to much and this helped me focus on what he was saying and the colors are very important for each part of the body and health. This is an area of healing that has me interested.
Cheryl
Hi Angel, that was one amazing post. I think that most women have a hard time with the way their bodies change after having children. You may never be like you were physically as a marine, but as long as you are healthy and love yourself, that is all that matters. I too struggle with staying fit as a mother, mostly because it can be hard to put yourself first at times.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is great that you have such an amazing spiritual background, I think that it will help you in more way than one. I wish that i had such a strong spiritual background because I am sure that it would have helped me through a lot of struggles that I have had in my life.
Best of luck to you with your goals, I am sure that you are on a good path and will be successful.
Elizabeth
Hi Angel
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing post, You seem very grounded. And Thank-You for your serving our country, and shame on those that made it tough on you. This civilian doesnt care what race, what sexual gender, what gender, what religion anyone is, I bow my head to you in appreciation. Remember, those that do any different are ignorant to whats beyond their noses. I love the way you spoke of your culture, and spiritual beleifs it gave me goose bumps. Lots of hugs from Saginaw, Michigan!!!!!