1. I got to pray the liturgy this morning, which was an awesome way to start the new year. Plus it was a small and intimate liturgy…can't be beat!
2. I didn't have to go to work!
3. I taught my co-resident backgammon. We ended playing 15 games in a row. I never want to play backgammon again.
4. I took a post-liturgy nap. There is nothing like binge eating on donuts after a liturgy and then sleeping after the sugar crash.
5. My wife made this incredible tortilla soup. When you put avocados on it, its the perfect combination of spicy and creamy. I can barely write about it without having crazy urges to binge eat.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
5 things I appreciate about 12/31/13
1. Met a older woman patient today who has a history of schizophrenia. She calls herself "the Middle Eastern Queen". She quickly discovered I am of Egyptian descent and proceeded to excitedly tell me about how she was born in Mt. Sinai and was abducted by a white family.
2. I got to eat lunch with my wife today. Date lunch at a thai restaurant. Ate the spicy shrimp, which was delectably spicy and shrimpy.
3. During lunch, my wife and I discussed our new years resolutions. Here are some of mine:
-Hug more
-Eat less sugar (unless its a home baked good, and then come on now!)
-Improve my Spanish
-Improve my English
-Become knowldegeable in psychiatry...somewhow
-Become more structured in my prayer life
-Create more romantic surprises (picnics and crap like that)
-Laugh more, think more, speak less
-Do exercises that are fun..i.e. dancing
-Communicate better and more often with my family
4. I got to take a post thai food lunch nap. It was deep and I dreamed of fondue.
5. I got to kiss my wife when the clock struck midnight. Simple and yet the perfect way to end 2013 and begin 2014.
2. I got to eat lunch with my wife today. Date lunch at a thai restaurant. Ate the spicy shrimp, which was delectably spicy and shrimpy.
3. During lunch, my wife and I discussed our new years resolutions. Here are some of mine:
-Hug more
-Eat less sugar (unless its a home baked good, and then come on now!)
-Improve my Spanish
-Improve my English
-Become knowldegeable in psychiatry...somewhow
-Become more structured in my prayer life
-Create more romantic surprises (picnics and crap like that)
-Laugh more, think more, speak less
-Do exercises that are fun..i.e. dancing
-Communicate better and more often with my family
4. I got to take a post thai food lunch nap. It was deep and I dreamed of fondue.
5. I got to kiss my wife when the clock struck midnight. Simple and yet the perfect way to end 2013 and begin 2014.
Monday, December 30, 2013
5 wonderful things that happened today
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!
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!
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.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
5 contrasts between healthy and unhealthy romantic relationships
1. Sacrifice vs. Demand for Sacrifice - I think it is pretty natural to find ourselves demanding sacrifices from our partner over sacrifices ourselves. It is easy to love the other when things are easy or self serving but it is another thing to surrender your preference or privilege. I believe nothing strengthens a relationship more than well intentioned sacrifice.
" Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." -Ephesians 5:1-2
2. Forgiveness vs. Resentment - I remember learning that forgiving is a gift to yourself. I feel like in order for a relationship to flourish it requires that we have to be willing to forgive past hurts and disappointments. Carrying around those past hurts is toxic to a relationship.
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." -Matthew 6:14
3. Security vs. Fear - Some relationships are based on using the partner to satisfy their security. I think healthy relationships shift to trying to meet the security need of their partner. When you are secure in yourself than you are able to focus on meeting the needs of your partner and not our own.
" There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear" -1 John 4:18
4. Vulnerability vs. Defensiveness - Just watch this:
http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html
5. Honesty vs. Deception - There is simply no substitute for good old fashioned honesty and transparency. It is hard and scary as all get out at times, but so crucial to a thriving relationship. Keeping this in darkness fosters things like additions.
" Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." -Ephesians 5:1-2
2. Forgiveness vs. Resentment - I remember learning that forgiving is a gift to yourself. I feel like in order for a relationship to flourish it requires that we have to be willing to forgive past hurts and disappointments. Carrying around those past hurts is toxic to a relationship.
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." -Matthew 6:14
3. Security vs. Fear - Some relationships are based on using the partner to satisfy their security. I think healthy relationships shift to trying to meet the security need of their partner. When you are secure in yourself than you are able to focus on meeting the needs of your partner and not our own.
" There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear" -1 John 4:18
4. Vulnerability vs. Defensiveness - Just watch this:
http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html
5. Honesty vs. Deception - There is simply no substitute for good old fashioned honesty and transparency. It is hard and scary as all get out at times, but so crucial to a thriving relationship. Keeping this in darkness fosters things like additions.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
The 5 parts to Pope Francis' five finger prayer.
1. The THUMB is the closest finger to you. So start praying for those who are closest to you. They are the persons easiest to remember. To pray for our dear ones is a "sweet obligation."
2. The next finger is the INDEX. Pray for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you. They need the support and wisdom to show direction to others.
3. The following finger is the MIDDLE finger, which is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders, the governors, and those who have authority. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is the RING finger. Even that it may surprise you, it is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick, or those plagued by problems.
5. And finally we have our smallest finger, the smallest of all. Your PINKIE should remind you to pray for yourself. When you are done praying for the other four groups, you will be able to see your own needs but in the proper perspective.
2. The next finger is the INDEX. Pray for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you. They need the support and wisdom to show direction to others.
3. The following finger is the MIDDLE finger, which is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders, the governors, and those who have authority. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is the RING finger. Even that it may surprise you, it is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick, or those plagued by problems.
5. And finally we have our smallest finger, the smallest of all. Your PINKIE should remind you to pray for yourself. When you are done praying for the other four groups, you will be able to see your own needs but in the proper perspective.
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