Am I fully present?

My 2 year old son called "Mommy" about six times before I finally looked up from my phone. I was updating my to-do list.  Groceries, cooking dinner, laundry, answer work emails, readings for school, bath time... Some days it seems like that list goes on forever.  I felt bad as I realized my toddler was trying to show me his art work.  Immediately I felt a pang of guilt. I had a very busy week and my quality time with my son was limited.  My mind was distracted as I try to watch him draw his impressive scribbles.  

Presence.  I used to think I understood what that meant.  "Of course I am present, I'm here aren't I?".  I find my mind is often filled with tasks, lists, and upcoming projects.   I recall what Jacqueline, our site supervisor told us on our first week of school.  Set realistic expectations and call in for reinforcements.   I realized I must ask my husband for help.  Delegation is not my strong suit. I like crossing off things on my to-do list. I can't decide if it is because I like doing the work itself or ensuring it is completed to my liking.  It probably is a bit of both.  

I asked myself, "Am I fully present?" How often are we distracted? How many times do we try to multitask and end up with a mediocre product.  This article was meaningful to remind me that life is about enjoying the process as well as the finished product.  I also remember that a focused mind is a more productive mind.  

image from peope-equation.com

And now my son is calling yet again. "Momma, more playtime!!!" 

Week 2: Is Blogging is good for your health?

Hey Jitterbug! 

Here they are: those first day back to school jitters.  I hope I am not the only one that feels like this. Despite all my worry and apprehension, the first week of classes went by without a hitch.  
I was able to meet my fellow classmates and instructors, and immediately I felt like I was in the right place.  The room was full of like-minded individuals with similar goals and passions- and yet from surprisingly different fields of interest. My nerves have subsided and the excitement has kicked in. 

When we were told our first assignment was to create a blog, my first thought was what if I have nothing worth "blogging" about. Honestly, my biggest fear is who will want to read it? 

(small note to self, do not google "reasons not to go to graduate school" after you have already registered for the course) 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABlog_(1).jpg

To blog or not to blog? 

I begin with listing all the reasons blogging is good for my health.  I figure that validating the benefits will provide me some encouragement and motivation.   This always works for me when I am trying to convince myself to hit the gym or wake up early to get some work in.  The pros always outweigh the cons. The article The Social Dimension of Blogging about Health: Health Blogging, Social Support, and Well-being states the following: 

"The public record of one’s experiences created through blogging may serve as a beacon to weak ties with similar histories who are motivated to provide information and emotional support....reasons that blogging might serve as a mechanism to marshal social support from both strong and weak ties and, as a result, foster positive outcomes for bloggers’well-being...."

" Stephen A. Rains & David M. Keating 2011.

I believe that if the target audience is receptive to your blog, the benefits of blogging will be achieved.  It will be a way to journal and reflect on your thoughts,  bolster self-esteem, and find others who may relate to your story or provide another point of view.   

And so it begins....

What? 

This blog was created with the purpose of documenting my personal exploration and journey through the HEAL program.  

Who? 

Hi! I'm Rose. I have been a registered nurse for 9 years.  I work in the PACU (post anesthetic care unit). It's the room where patients wake up after their surgery.  In the past 4 years I have also been teaching nursing students part time.  This is where I discovered my love for teaching and learning.  

In my personal life I wear many hats: a wife, mother of a toddler, sister, daughter, and a friend. I moonlight as an amateur foodie, love to travel, and can read a book in one sitting (time permitting).  I love to try new foods, try new things, and yet my daily activities say that I am a creature of habit.  I am a morning person.  I enjoy pilates,  yoga,  and snowboarding.  Although I have yet to fully embrace my gym membership for all of its benefits.  I will always choose a walk with my dog before a session in the gym.  

When? 

There is no better time than the present.  I am a true believer in the law of attraction. Some call it "the secret".  I believe that fate/luck/chance are just small contributors to one's success.  I try to create my future purposefully and with good intentions. 

Why HEAL? 

I love to learn, and am fascinated by people. I have always toyed around with the idea of doing my masters degree one day. However, I was never truly inspired or motivated until a family crisis shook my values and reminded me about the fragile gift of time. So I went looking for a program that combined my love for education and interest in health promotion.  And here we are today...

What can I contribute? 

I believe that my professional and personal experiences dealing with illness, trauma, pain, joy, recovery, and rehabilitation will be valuable.  With our cohort I would like to share my enthusiasm, a love for learning,  my leadership skills and positive energy.  

What do I want from HEAL? 

Although I teach others about health promotion and about living a healthy life, internally I sometimes feel out of balance.  I understand the basic theory of physical wellness, and illness prevention, and treatment of disease. However in this program, I would like to focus more on my own health promotion journey; to become more attuned to my spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical self.  I hope to learn how to better educate my patients, my students, my family, and most of all, myself.  

I am excited.  I am nervous.  I am humbled.  I am open.