Thursday, April 4, 2013
Gaining balance
When I look at the qualities that each side of the brain possesses I can see that I equally use both sides. I am really good with grammar and reading which is a left side attribute but I am also very creative and intuition which is a right side attribute. When I consider the aspect of obstacles and which side of the brain I would use in order to deal with obstacles I feel like I would equally need to use both sides although it could vary depending on the situation. If I had things to plan and organize my focus would come from the left side of my brain as I used my organizational skills to implement my plan. However, if I was confused and indecisive about something I may rationalize the situation but I always go with my gut instinct in the long run. I have put a lot of meditative work into exercising certain areas of my right brain so that I can come from my heart space more often. I feel like our intuitions are consistently quieted as we focus on the rational instead. I believe that our intuition is one of our greatest gifts and that it should be exercised and utilized more often!
Obstacles
I feel like writing is one of my greatest strengths. I have always loved to write poetry and stories, writing papers comes very easily to me, reading books is one of my passions, and with the invention of computers I have fallen in love all over again with writing! Physically writing can be very time consuming, sloppy, and painful to some degree so when the computer came around I was very excited. When I was 5 years old and in the first grade my teacher said that I was not a good read and put me in a remedial group. This made infuriated me and I immediately started reading everything I could get my hands on so that I could make my way out of that group. I very quickly made it out of the remedial group and was put into the advanced group within just a few months. All by my own sheer motivation. I remained in advanced reading groups and advanced English classes throughout the rest of my school years. I have always felt like it was that one teacher back in the first grade telling me that I wasn't good at something that gave me the will to make myself be good at something! Obstacle overcome!
When I have to write now I sometimes get a little overwhelmed with all of the ideas in my head. It can be difficult to figure out how to get all of my ideas streamlined into a flow for writing. I try to meditate a bit before writing so that I am calm and prepared. For me, once I get into the flow it just happens and I often don't remember what I have even writing.
I like obstacles because they push me to try even harder. Whether I have to physically push myself, mentally push myself, or even push myself deeper into spirituality so that I can remember to trust in a higher source.
When I have to write now I sometimes get a little overwhelmed with all of the ideas in my head. It can be difficult to figure out how to get all of my ideas streamlined into a flow for writing. I try to meditate a bit before writing so that I am calm and prepared. For me, once I get into the flow it just happens and I often don't remember what I have even writing.
I like obstacles because they push me to try even harder. Whether I have to physically push myself, mentally push myself, or even push myself deeper into spirituality so that I can remember to trust in a higher source.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Growing hope
I wanted to share some photos of my community project that I have been running at a local elementary school here in Nor Cal. For me, the concept of Social Work and creating community gardens go hand in hand. Gardening is a known stress reliever. There are many people who are lonely and don't have access to a gardening space. There are also many people who don't realize the ease of planting some seeds and then have a bounty of delicious, healthy food to harvest! By using education I am teaching our youth how to plant seeds, how to create a healthy garden bed, what time of the year to plant certain crops, how to rotate crops for better production, and how to harvest. The veggies that they plant and harvest go into their school lunches. I have involved the school community by coordinating work parties and donation drives. Everyone is invited to work in the garden and can help themselves to the extra harvest abundance. I am really excited to teach the kids because I know that they then go home and tell their parents about what they are doing at school. I hope to encourage other parent's to create their gardens so that they too can have healthy food in their own homes!
These are non GMO Pole Beans grown from seed
One important thing that I am teaching everyone is that by planting heirloom, non GMO seeds we are supporting our local farmers and companies that have our best interest in mind. These seeds are better for the environment and for our bodies.
One of the prepped beds with some beautiful lettuce starts and seeds donated from a local nusery.
These are non GMO Pole Beans grown from seed
One important thing that I am teaching everyone is that by planting heirloom, non GMO seeds we are supporting our local farmers and companies that have our best interest in mind. These seeds are better for the environment and for our bodies.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Getting back my groove..kinda
Mid-February finds me desperatly seeking the promises of spring..knee deep in so much schoolwork that the light at the end of the tunnel still looks like a teeny pinprick. Every single one of my children has experienced some long lasting illness of some sort that has kept them home for days on end all typically staggered one after the other just to ensure that at least one kid is still home sick. The sheer amount of work that each of the Social Work classes requires this semester on top of determining an appropriate internship for next semester is staggering to say the least. So I take moment here and there and just breathe. I breathe through the pressure, I breathe through the stress, I breathe through the anxiety.
It took me nearly 3 weeks to get enrolled in this class so I have a bit of catching up to do. As I write the 5 page Policy Paper due today I notice I also need to watch Ghandi for this class. If only I was Ghandi right now..Could be useful in some ways. For my Policy paper I am writing about a bill that is requesting the renewal of health insurance companies covering the costs of therapies and treatments for individuals with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. If this bill doesn't pass then families will be required to pay for these treatments which cost about $60,000 out of pocket per year for each family. Due to the epidemic of this disorder that is now on our hands it is crucial that these therapies be provided for these individuals so that they may have the chance to exist within our society as normally as possible.
Autism spectrum diagnosis' have risen 78% since 2002. That is a staggering percentage right there. Why in the world is this diagnosis so prevalent within our society today? One big issue we have to finding out that answer is that very little funding is actually put into scientific studies as to why this disorders has gotten out of control in our society. I'd like to wager a guess though as to why this disorder is gaining epic proportions here. First I'll start with processed foods and the scientific proof that food additives and colorings have an adverse effect on certain people which leads to autism like symptoms. Case in point http://autismparenthood.com/avoid-food-additives-to-solve-behavior-problems-in-kids-with-autism/ Second, let's discuss the onslaught of daily use of electronics (ipads, iphones, ipods, video games, television). Interesting that these electronics are now a widely accepted and daily part of nearly all kids lives. Third, the increase in the medication of depression/anxiety during pregnancies without long term study effects on mother's or their fetus. Doctor's tell you it is safe and offer you medications for these issues even though there is no long term proof it is safe. We do know that alcohol and tobacco use reach the fetus so why not Prozac and Xanax. Case in point http://xnet.kp.org/newscenter/pressreleases/nat/2011/070411autismrisk.html. Pesticide use..GMO's in food..pollutants in the air..I'd be willing to bet that all of these things have had some impact on the rise in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
As a soon to be Social Worker I hope to actively advocate for any individuals with these issues and help them to achieve the kind of lives that they deserve regardless if this bill gets passed or not.
It took me nearly 3 weeks to get enrolled in this class so I have a bit of catching up to do. As I write the 5 page Policy Paper due today I notice I also need to watch Ghandi for this class. If only I was Ghandi right now..Could be useful in some ways. For my Policy paper I am writing about a bill that is requesting the renewal of health insurance companies covering the costs of therapies and treatments for individuals with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. If this bill doesn't pass then families will be required to pay for these treatments which cost about $60,000 out of pocket per year for each family. Due to the epidemic of this disorder that is now on our hands it is crucial that these therapies be provided for these individuals so that they may have the chance to exist within our society as normally as possible.
Autism spectrum diagnosis' have risen 78% since 2002. That is a staggering percentage right there. Why in the world is this diagnosis so prevalent within our society today? One big issue we have to finding out that answer is that very little funding is actually put into scientific studies as to why this disorders has gotten out of control in our society. I'd like to wager a guess though as to why this disorder is gaining epic proportions here. First I'll start with processed foods and the scientific proof that food additives and colorings have an adverse effect on certain people which leads to autism like symptoms. Case in point http://autismparenthood.com/avoid-food-additives-to-solve-behavior-problems-in-kids-with-autism/ Second, let's discuss the onslaught of daily use of electronics (ipads, iphones, ipods, video games, television). Interesting that these electronics are now a widely accepted and daily part of nearly all kids lives. Third, the increase in the medication of depression/anxiety during pregnancies without long term study effects on mother's or their fetus. Doctor's tell you it is safe and offer you medications for these issues even though there is no long term proof it is safe. We do know that alcohol and tobacco use reach the fetus so why not Prozac and Xanax. Case in point http://xnet.kp.org/newscenter/pressreleases/nat/2011/070411autismrisk.html. Pesticide use..GMO's in food..pollutants in the air..I'd be willing to bet that all of these things have had some impact on the rise in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
As a soon to be Social Worker I hope to actively advocate for any individuals with these issues and help them to achieve the kind of lives that they deserve regardless if this bill gets passed or not.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Right/Left
I am most definitely a right side of the brain user..however I can see where I utilize the left side frequently throughout the day. I am a very logical person which often interrupts my ability to tap into my intuition. As soon as my intuition speaks I begin to analyze it which automatically cancels out anything your intuition is telling you.
*Thanks ego*
My ability to organize and budget is naturally good at this point in my life because let's face it..raising 6 kids on my own requires these two abilities. I have purpofuselly chosen to focus more on the right side of my brain as I get older. Immersion into music and art is soothing. Meditation and intuition are my best friends. I have been apprenticing with a few different psychics/mediums over the last several years and learning that aspect of life has really opened up a whole new world for me. I prefer to live my life from a higher vibration which means not relying on the brain..but instead going outside of it to live the best possible life..
*Thanks ego*
My ability to organize and budget is naturally good at this point in my life because let's face it..raising 6 kids on my own requires these two abilities. I have purpofuselly chosen to focus more on the right side of my brain as I get older. Immersion into music and art is soothing. Meditation and intuition are my best friends. I have been apprenticing with a few different psychics/mediums over the last several years and learning that aspect of life has really opened up a whole new world for me. I prefer to live my life from a higher vibration which means not relying on the brain..but instead going outside of it to live the best possible life..
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Putting a name to my obstacles...
When it comes to writing I really don't feel like I have too many obstacles preventing me from saying what I need to say. In my own little reality I have 6 distinct obstacles that tend to draw my attention away from whatever I may be doing. I lose my train of thought so quickly with these 6 distinct obstacles. But, hey, who doesn't get distracted by sweet lil kids?!
I do believe in being non-confrontational and empathetic. I think being judgmental and negative just leads to more of the same. Being mindful of what say, especially in a public posting, is important because anything we say may influence others in someway and my goal is to only positively inspire others.
My biggest obstacle is privacy. I do have to keep aspects of my life private and especially as I delve into the world of Social Work the need for privacy increases. I hope that I will be able to continue writing publicly while maintaining my own sense of self in the process.
I do believe in being non-confrontational and empathetic. I think being judgmental and negative just leads to more of the same. Being mindful of what say, especially in a public posting, is important because anything we say may influence others in someway and my goal is to only positively inspire others.
My biggest obstacle is privacy. I do have to keep aspects of my life private and especially as I delve into the world of Social Work the need for privacy increases. I hope that I will be able to continue writing publicly while maintaining my own sense of self in the process.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Free Writing
Writing for 5-10 minutes immediately reminds me that I prefer typing over writing. This may have to do with not being in the flow of writing with my hand any longer, like those long ago days in school when there were no computers and everything was handwritten. All those callouses and our fingers bent just so to hold a pencil at any given moment. Hand cramps. Yes, typing I prefer.
Free flowing typing allows for my all the emotions and thoughts that are floating around my head to flow out. It feels like a release in a way. I've been stressed out this past week, more then usual so this assignment was therapeutic. I always feel like one of those people that falls through the cracks of the system.
Some of my kids were sick this week which always makes for an interesting juggling game of figuring out how to care for them, get them to the doctors, getting myself to class, staying on top of homework, etc....
This week has been a good lesson for me in remembering to stay in the present moment. I have been working hard on remembering to meditate daily. The practice of meditation is really helping me to stay focused and calm no matter what storm I find myself in.
Free flowing typing allows for my all the emotions and thoughts that are floating around my head to flow out. It feels like a release in a way. I've been stressed out this past week, more then usual so this assignment was therapeutic. I always feel like one of those people that falls through the cracks of the system.
Some of my kids were sick this week which always makes for an interesting juggling game of figuring out how to care for them, get them to the doctors, getting myself to class, staying on top of homework, etc....
This week has been a good lesson for me in remembering to stay in the present moment. I have been working hard on remembering to meditate daily. The practice of meditation is really helping me to stay focused and calm no matter what storm I find myself in.
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