1. I went to the animal hospital to pick up our dogs after they have been boarded for a weekend. They were so excited to see me (at least I assume) that they started to shake out of anticipation. These dogs are old and fat, but that didn't stop them from (attempting) to leap at my face. One of them (the older, fatter one), started to gyrate like furby while making these cute little squealing sounds. Its a pretty neat feeling to have such wonderfully cute creatures so excited to see your face!
2. Went to visit family members in Dana Point today, and they live right next to the beach. It was one of those clear, sunny days where you could see a dolphin. I didn't see the dolphin, but it was the fact that I could have that made it magical.
3. Playing chess with my co-resident. He says, "come, on! Go already, this isn't a thinking game!"
4. I got to meet my sister's little puppy, "Schmidt", for the first time today! He is adorable and cuddly, and he nips at your hands (because he is teething), and he smells like pretzels. My sister is somewhat abusive with him (she taps him on the nose when he nips), so I spent alot of the day chastising her. However it was somewhat "reassuring" to see that she doesn't reserve her abuse for me alone.
5. Today's morning passage was Phillippians 4:6-7:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
'Nough said!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
5 steps in Christ-centered Emotion Focused Therapy
Today I got the chance to attend a lecture on "Christ-centered Emotion Focused Therapy". Here are 5 steps that summarize the process of involving Christ into our corrective emotional experience. Pretty simple, but powerful if actually done with God at the center.
1. Feel the feeling before God.
"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7
2. Express the feeling to God.
"Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord" -Lamentations 2:19
3. Surrender the feeling to God.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
4. Transform the emotion in Christ.
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." -2 Corinthians 3:18
5. Share the work that God does in you with others.
"But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." -Hebrews 13:16
1. Feel the feeling before God.
"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7
2. Express the feeling to God.
"Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord" -Lamentations 2:19
3. Surrender the feeling to God.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
4. Transform the emotion in Christ.
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." -2 Corinthians 3:18
5. Share the work that God does in you with others.
"But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." -Hebrews 13:16
Monday, December 2, 2013
5 exercises to practice mindfulness
1. Take just 2 "mindful" bites of food. For each meal of snack, try just paying attention to the subtle textures, tastes, appearances, and smells of the first 2 bites of food. The idea is to just be present for the sensory experience.
2. Pay attention to the feeling of air on your skin. Try this exercise for just 30 seconds. It is useful to not be covered in a sweater and to have some skin exposed. The idea is to focus on the "experience" as to being in "judging" mode, which is often our default. I know it kind of sounds silly, but its kind of weird to pay attention to a sensation that is always available to us.
3. Pay attention to just one breath feels like. No need to take a yoga or tai chi pose, but just take a moment to feel the sensation of a breath flowing into and out of your body. Notice where the sensation of the breath seems to be the most noticeable (nostrils, rib cage, belly, etc.)
4. Scan your body. Another one that feels kind of foreign, but try scanning your body from the top to toe for any sensations of discomfort or tension. Pay attention to the position of your various body parts and the feeling of them in space. Attempt to soften the sensations of discomfort.
5. Do one action mindfully. Pick some action that you tend to do daily without thinking (brushing your teeth, taking a shower) and try to participate in that activity mindfully. Using all 5 senses try to make as many observations that you can during this routine activity of what that experience is really like.
2. Pay attention to the feeling of air on your skin. Try this exercise for just 30 seconds. It is useful to not be covered in a sweater and to have some skin exposed. The idea is to focus on the "experience" as to being in "judging" mode, which is often our default. I know it kind of sounds silly, but its kind of weird to pay attention to a sensation that is always available to us.
3. Pay attention to just one breath feels like. No need to take a yoga or tai chi pose, but just take a moment to feel the sensation of a breath flowing into and out of your body. Notice where the sensation of the breath seems to be the most noticeable (nostrils, rib cage, belly, etc.)
4. Scan your body. Another one that feels kind of foreign, but try scanning your body from the top to toe for any sensations of discomfort or tension. Pay attention to the position of your various body parts and the feeling of them in space. Attempt to soften the sensations of discomfort.
5. Do one action mindfully. Pick some action that you tend to do daily without thinking (brushing your teeth, taking a shower) and try to participate in that activity mindfully. Using all 5 senses try to make as many observations that you can during this routine activity of what that experience is really like.
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