The loving kindness exercise is very useful to me at this time in my life. For the last two months I have been working on a project at my job that requires me to interact/collabrate with a person who has a personality that clashes with mine. (I referred to this person during the first loving kidness exercise) Well...since my introduction to this technique I have used it send loving kindness to the person I dislike and I must say I have noticed I am slowing but surely not allowing myself to feel negativity towards my adversary. I also have discovered the tention I that use to plague me when I had to interact with that person is no longer there because I have been determined to change my mental state when they are around me. I do this by taking a few moments to quietly tell myself that 'kindness is healthy and anomosity is not and I choose to send out kindness for my well-being'.
The integral assessment of myself revealed I am focused on my health and being healthy. I think having my mother be diagnosed with cancer and die within the same year has made me determined to improve my mental and physical health. I have become dedicated to my exercise program and meditation practice. They both make me feel better about myself, but I know I have a long way to go before I have made a complete lifestyle change.
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteThat is a great post! I do think that it is hard sometimes to work with someone that has different views and attitudes towards things than yourself. I have worked with a few people like that, but it is important to remember that everyone approaches things differently. It is great that you are abl to take those few moments and just choose to send out "kindness".
I am very sorry to hear about your mother; it can be very difficult to lose a loved one s0 close to your heart! It sound like you are a strong person and very motivated to keep yourself grounded and strong:)
Sara DeSanto
Sara, thanks for your kind words.
DeleteHi Stephen, yes thank you for sharing this with us. Your strength shows through by first acknowledging that you have an issue with the person you have been assigned to collaborate with and this is admirable. Many people cannot handle a situation like this. Working on yourself is the only way to combat this challenge. I would have to say this class is right on time for you, yes? I have faith that truly applying loving kindness will allow you to endure and I am certain you are helping more than just yourself. What better way to assist your future clientele than to guide them through practices that have helped you. Using the Loving Kindness practice is helping you redirect negativity and this can surely help others in similar situations. Your mother would be proud of you taking control of your health. I am sorry to hear you lost her so soon. ~Kanisha
ReplyDeleteYou're still hanging in there with P90X right? How is it going for you, what's the best part so far?
Hi Stephen,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your situation with your co-worker. It sounds like you are making progress. There are a couple people in my office that are difficult to be around and I have found myself very frustrated and angry in dealing with them. When confronted with them lately I repeat to myself "compassion and loving-kindness..compassion and loving-kindness"...lol...and it does work. It snaps me out of the old reactivity and into intention. Who would have thought it would be something so simple.
Carrie Lawson