Health Minds Healthy College

Campus Well-Being

What are you practicing?

April 5, 2012

I took a little break from blogging. I guess I was looking for some material to write about.  It is easy to find a recipe, but I think it takes time to come up with something deeper.  We all know that wellness is broad—physical health, metal health, emotional, spiritual, etc.

I am personally going through an introspective mode or stage.  I am doing some soul searching, soul cleaning like a spring cleaning, ha, ha, and I am becoming aware of many things.  I stepped outside to take a short break and it was wonderful to feel the sunshine, to feel the warmth on my face.

I realized how much I have been running in my life.  By choice, I run to stay fit. It is my choice of exercise and I think it is most of the time perfect for me.  Now I am becoming aware how healthy it is for me to slow down, to be in the moment, to listen to myself.  Our lives are so busy and I feel my life is a treadmill experience.  But it doesn’t have to be that way, I can choose to slow down. When I do that, when I slow down, it feels good.  I listen better, I take care of myself better, I am more patient and as a result of that, I am a better mother to my son.

 

I realized that I have been running in life for the last eight years in Canada and I feel tired.  I am not only physically tired, but also tired on a soul level.  My whole being resists the go-go mode and maybe it is time to listen to myself.

Today I will raise a question: What are you practicing? As you go through the questions, I am doing the same with you.  The process is helping me prioratize and make healthier choices:

  • Do you want to practice rushing through your morning, or can you wake up a little earlier and simplify your morning routine so that you practice a slow, enjoyable morning ritual?
  • Do you want to practice checking your mail inbox when you first get to your computer, or can you do something better?
  • Do you want to speak angrily to your kids, or can you speak to them with kindness and compassion?
  • Do you want to practice complaining and self-pity, or can you practice gratitude?
  • Do you want to practice rushing and being busy, or can I practice simplifying and going slowly?
  • Do I want to practice shopping, or can I practice giving?

Yes, I realize that it will take a lot of practice to change my habits.  I give myself permission to make mistakes.  I think it takes many little steps to build a new skill, but I need to take the first one.  I will take it one day at a time and it will get easier. I know it.

I will leave you with a quote from Confucius: Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Have a great week!

 Submitted by Margarita Natcheva Rowley, Diversity and Immigrant Student Support

 

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

Learn more ›