it takes patience for this "relaxation" thing :)

First thing I am reminded of as I attempted to do this relaxation exercise was: I am SO not relaxed! I know I have problems relaxing. I know I am tense and stress has been an ongoing cycle in my life for some time now. But it was hard for me to even allow myself to do this exercise. The thought kept resounding through my mind was, "I can't do this. I can't relax." So this of course shows that my inability to relax and my negativity did not help one bit. It was hard to get away from that thought to participate in the exercise. I quit half way through! :(

I think for me the inability to accomplish the task or the mindset that I can't accomplish the task made the opposite occur in me. I'm more tense from trying. For me I guess I need that slow walk, or sitting outside listening to my wind chimes and being able to feel the breeze. This relaxes me more at this point in time.

I can tell that this will be a good "excuse" to continue learning how to relax in this course.
Okay classmates, what the heck did you think? :)

First attempt: Can you relax to this?

Open my eyes wide again....

Yesterday I decided to take my dog (Kira) on a walk. She was jumping up at the door while I was busy doing homework and honestly I did not want to get up off the couch. But Mama guilt kicked in and all I could think about was her in the backyard fenced in all day while I was at work taking care of sick Middle School kids. So we ran out the backdoor together ready to get in an early evening walk. As we started down the street I couldn't help but pause to look at all the beauty around us. I live in an older part of town aka the historic district. The homes are pretty, the flower beds are cared for, and the setting is really perfect for me. There is so much charm and character. But today I felt so much peace walking along and shuffling my feet in all the colorful leaves. This last year has been quite the journey for me. This time last year my husband of only 14 months left me. After he walked out I was in a deep darkness for a long time. I can honestly say that I did not even notice anything about Fall last year. East Coast Fall is always beautiful but in my depression, shock, and bitterness I never opened my eyes to see it due to the crash and burn of my marriage and dreams. Yesterday I remembering taking a deep breath and thanking God that this year is different. I am able to open my eyes WIDE to see all the beauty and HIS (meaning God's) fingerprints of beauty all around me. The leaves, the breeze, the sweet pup walking ahead of me, and so much more. I'm really grateful. There are many verses in the Bible that I draw strength from. In particular are those of Psalms that talk about us being placed in a wide open space and having feet like the deer to scale the heights. In my life I feel like this.... the scars, the callouses of my feet so to speak have made me stronger. Walking the street yesterday and seeing the beauty this year was my "wide open space". I felt it was an experience applicable to our class. Maybe someone else can relate. I hope each of you has time to stop.... open your eyes wide to ALL the many ways there are fingerprints of beauty in your life.

2 Samuel 22:33-34, Psalms 18 & 118 www.biblegateway.com

What's with this name?!?

Choosing a name for something as simple as a blog shouldn't be difficult, right? But the options are endless. After some thought I landed on "seeking his fingerprints".  

I firmly believe that all through out our life are the fingerprints of God. Finding time to stop and have an open heart or the ability to see and realize them is often the tricky part. 

I'm beginning a new term with Kaplan and one of my supplemental courses for my BSN that I choose is focusing on Integral Health. I am excited to study more of these concepts and how our health and wellness is connected to so much of our emotions, will, spirit, values, physical health, ect. 

I'll be excited to see his fingerprints in and through this course and ways I can learn how to care for people and myself in new ways!