Today I watched the documentary No Impact Man which is about a New York family who gradually gives up almost everything they use in life that negatively impacts the Earth. This project was to last for a full year and then the family would decide which aspects they would want to keep exercising and which aspects were too difficult to continue. I think most people would agree that the most difficult thing they did was give up manufactured toilet paper! This was a great film with such a positive message. In the end they give realistic ways that we can all contribute to the sustainability of the Earth without having to give up toilet paper. :)
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Current State of Well-being
Well-being Rating:
On a scale of 1-10 I would have to rate my physical well-being at 6 because this week I have been working full time and then coming home where I begin work of school assignments. My family visited me this past weekend and we did a lot of fun things that I feel were beneficial to all areas of my well-being like going to the park to see the peacocks, going to see live music, and attending a comedy cabaret. I would say that my spiritual well-being would rate at 7, because I do not feel that I have been able to do anything enriching for my soul the past few days. Finally my psychological well-being would rate at 7 also, because the week so far has been a bit stressful at work and and home. I would definitely say that most weeks are better than this week has been, so these numbers are bound to go up.
Personal Goals:
My goals are to become more active and reinstate a routine of going to the gym. A couple of weeks ago I went jogging with my dogs which was really nice, so I want to do a little more of that too. It's a good way to spend time with my dogs and make sure that they are exercising too!
Spiritually I would like to spend a little more time with friends and play more games of fetch with my dogs. One of my dogs is totally addicted to fetch. She never gets tired.
Psychologically my goal is find nice spots to read. I need to do the reading for class, so it's good to find a nice comfy spot where I can quiet my mind and concentrate
Helpful Ways to Reach My Goals:
Activities and exercises that can be done in order to reach my goals are pretty simple. Packing my gym clothes and taking them to work with me is a good way to not get distracted by needing to come home. My dog will always remind me that she wants to play, so all I need to do is comply. I'm always up for trying out different coffee shops, so that might be a good way to start checking out the scene. I'll just bring my books with me.
The Crime of the Century Relaxation Exercise:
This rainbow meditation is like a chakra meditation. I have heard different descriptions regarding the qualities of the areas of the body, but the colors are the same. I absolutely love this meditation. The speaker has a wonderful voice and keeps a good pace. Sometimes I have trouble envisioning a particular color, and I know that means that is the area that I need to work on in my life. Usually I need to work on the solar plexus (the yellow region), but sometimes it is the throat (aqua blue region). I have to admit that I normally have a difficult time seeing and feeling the white light encapsulation at the end of most chakra meditations, but with this rainbow meditation I really felt it. I feel very relaxed and whole right now. My back hurts a little less, so I would like to do this meditation again before bed. I wish I could buy a CD with all of the meditation provided by this speaker. I feel like I might even be able to up my current state of well-being rating right now. :)
On a scale of 1-10 I would have to rate my physical well-being at 6 because this week I have been working full time and then coming home where I begin work of school assignments. My family visited me this past weekend and we did a lot of fun things that I feel were beneficial to all areas of my well-being like going to the park to see the peacocks, going to see live music, and attending a comedy cabaret. I would say that my spiritual well-being would rate at 7, because I do not feel that I have been able to do anything enriching for my soul the past few days. Finally my psychological well-being would rate at 7 also, because the week so far has been a bit stressful at work and and home. I would definitely say that most weeks are better than this week has been, so these numbers are bound to go up.
Personal Goals:
My goals are to become more active and reinstate a routine of going to the gym. A couple of weeks ago I went jogging with my dogs which was really nice, so I want to do a little more of that too. It's a good way to spend time with my dogs and make sure that they are exercising too!
Spiritually I would like to spend a little more time with friends and play more games of fetch with my dogs. One of my dogs is totally addicted to fetch. She never gets tired.
Psychologically my goal is find nice spots to read. I need to do the reading for class, so it's good to find a nice comfy spot where I can quiet my mind and concentrate
Helpful Ways to Reach My Goals:
Activities and exercises that can be done in order to reach my goals are pretty simple. Packing my gym clothes and taking them to work with me is a good way to not get distracted by needing to come home. My dog will always remind me that she wants to play, so all I need to do is comply. I'm always up for trying out different coffee shops, so that might be a good way to start checking out the scene. I'll just bring my books with me.
The Crime of the Century Relaxation Exercise:
This rainbow meditation is like a chakra meditation. I have heard different descriptions regarding the qualities of the areas of the body, but the colors are the same. I absolutely love this meditation. The speaker has a wonderful voice and keeps a good pace. Sometimes I have trouble envisioning a particular color, and I know that means that is the area that I need to work on in my life. Usually I need to work on the solar plexus (the yellow region), but sometimes it is the throat (aqua blue region). I have to admit that I normally have a difficult time seeing and feeling the white light encapsulation at the end of most chakra meditations, but with this rainbow meditation I really felt it. I feel very relaxed and whole right now. My back hurts a little less, so I would like to do this meditation again before bed. I wish I could buy a CD with all of the meditation provided by this speaker. I feel like I might even be able to up my current state of well-being rating right now. :)
Friday, June 18, 2010
Guided Meditation
I wish I had a link that would make the "Journey On" guided meditation I recently listened to in class accessible to everyone who reads my blog. It was amazing.
I love guided meditations so much, because they make me notice things that I wouldn't otherwise. I've had some that have asked the listener to recognize the breathe as it hits the back of the throat and determine whether it is warm or cool. They request that you do not make judgment - simply notice.
When we start to look for the tiny nuances going on directly around us, we realize that there are so many and they each deserve recognition. When we examine them - it takes a good amount of time to break down each breath, each twitch, each part of the body. When we give this deserved "appreciation" for the things around us, we realize that we have become relaxed by slowing our minds and centering our focus nearer to ourselves.
In the guided meditation that I recently listened to, we were told to focus on our blood and the weight it gives to different parts of our body. The directions described that we focus our minds in order to force the blood to flow into our hands. I did this meditation twice. Of course when you really try, you feel that you are achieving the desired outcome and sense that your hands indeed do feel heavier. On the second go round, I did not focus, in fact I was only half paying attention. I tried to become relaxed, but not by focusing on the meditation, and when I tried to lift my hands they felt heavy even without imagining that that I rerouting my blood.
So while I did love this meditation based on the voice of the speaker, his pacing, and the background lulls; I do not feel that I was able to have the means justify the ends. Alternately I do feel that the ends can justify the means, in that I was still able to feel heavy handed in the end whether because of the guided meditation or otherwise. Next time I would like to try a new guided meditation that paints a visual picture to where you feel as if you are almost traveling to a new secret place. Those are always fun.
I love guided meditations so much, because they make me notice things that I wouldn't otherwise. I've had some that have asked the listener to recognize the breathe as it hits the back of the throat and determine whether it is warm or cool. They request that you do not make judgment - simply notice.
When we start to look for the tiny nuances going on directly around us, we realize that there are so many and they each deserve recognition. When we examine them - it takes a good amount of time to break down each breath, each twitch, each part of the body. When we give this deserved "appreciation" for the things around us, we realize that we have become relaxed by slowing our minds and centering our focus nearer to ourselves.
In the guided meditation that I recently listened to, we were told to focus on our blood and the weight it gives to different parts of our body. The directions described that we focus our minds in order to force the blood to flow into our hands. I did this meditation twice. Of course when you really try, you feel that you are achieving the desired outcome and sense that your hands indeed do feel heavier. On the second go round, I did not focus, in fact I was only half paying attention. I tried to become relaxed, but not by focusing on the meditation, and when I tried to lift my hands they felt heavy even without imagining that that I rerouting my blood.
So while I did love this meditation based on the voice of the speaker, his pacing, and the background lulls; I do not feel that I was able to have the means justify the ends. Alternately I do feel that the ends can justify the means, in that I was still able to feel heavy handed in the end whether because of the guided meditation or otherwise. Next time I would like to try a new guided meditation that paints a visual picture to where you feel as if you are almost traveling to a new secret place. Those are always fun.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Welcome
Hi, my name is Jamie and this is my blog. I chose the title Big Green Sun for my blog based on my commitment to green living. I believe that most of the world's industrial and agricultural progress has not been sustainable. Now we are in a fight to rewind the hands of time and reverse some of the damage done to our planet.
Also I am from Austin, TX, and we used to have a wonderful garden establishment called Big Red Sun. It was a beautiful, calming place, so this blog can also serve as remembrance to them and love for their mission. I still see some of their past work in yards and business landscapes around town. I think that is a fantastic thing - to be able to leave your mark of the world with such life and beauty that has the ability to grow long after we're gone.
A little about me - I am a big fan of farmers' markets and documentaries. I love animals, exploring nature, attending wine and food tastings, and learning from organic farmers, gardeners, chefs, and small business owners. Reading about health, food, and healing is becoming a new favorite way for me to spend my free time. I am always looking for new ways to explore alternate lifestyles.
As a cosmetologist, I am able to easily expand my knowledge of health related issues of the hair, skin, and nails. Three things I love about my job are getting to work with great products, the invitation to express my creative abilities, and getting to talk to clients who can share limitless information about their experiences in life.
Also I am from Austin, TX, and we used to have a wonderful garden establishment called Big Red Sun. It was a beautiful, calming place, so this blog can also serve as remembrance to them and love for their mission. I still see some of their past work in yards and business landscapes around town. I think that is a fantastic thing - to be able to leave your mark of the world with such life and beauty that has the ability to grow long after we're gone.
A little about me - I am a big fan of farmers' markets and documentaries. I love animals, exploring nature, attending wine and food tastings, and learning from organic farmers, gardeners, chefs, and small business owners. Reading about health, food, and healing is becoming a new favorite way for me to spend my free time. I am always looking for new ways to explore alternate lifestyles.
As a cosmetologist, I am able to easily expand my knowledge of health related issues of the hair, skin, and nails. Three things I love about my job are getting to work with great products, the invitation to express my creative abilities, and getting to talk to clients who can share limitless information about their experiences in life.
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