Blog 4

                Mindfulness was a concept that was first introduced to me in a stress management course that I took in undergrad. This was the first time I was really introduced to the idea of removing myself from my own mind and to really look at the situation at hand very objectively and for what it is truly worth. I think this concept can be very helpful in a counseling situation it can be a technique that really can help someone who is always focused on the negative to look at a more positive outlook on life. I think this concept can be helpful in just everyday life as well, I feel like it is human nature to become stressed or upset and to blame someone or something for the way we are feeling. I think that this technique could be used by the general public as a very effective technique to effectively manage emotions and thought processes. 

            This wellness chapter really hit home for me this week. I have always had a problem in my life with weight and appearance. I come from a family of what I consider beautiful people and I have always looked at myself as the black sheep that really doesn’t fit in. A part that really stuck with me was when Corey and Corey (2008) were discussing body image and how making a decision about a body part in early adolescence can still impact us today. I find this to be very true. I developed at a very young age. While most girls my age were shopping for training bras I was shopping for full regular size bras. I felt so out of place and the boys didn’t help with this situation at all. They were constantly picking on me and I became very self-conscious, and I feel like that has still carried over into my life today. I will not wear certain types of clothes because I feel uncomfortable and I will often sit hunched over when I am around new people. I have tried to develop a better body image but I feel like this has been engraved in my brain for too long. 

            Weight has also been a large struggle for me and I have found that this really does impact my psychological well-being. I am always constantly analyzing what people are thinking about me or what their first impression of me seems to be. I hate going out and eating, there is always a battle going on in my mind about what I should pick to eat so people don’t think I am fat. I have come a long way since I was in high school but the taunting and rejection still haunt me to this day. I know for me to be truly well body mind and soul this is a war that I am going to have to win. I have won some battles but I still have a long way to go before I am completely there. I really did enjoy this week’s reading and felt like I could really relate all of its content to my life.

Corey, G. & Corey, M. S. (2010). Your Body and Wellness. In Brooks/Cole (9^th edition), I Never Knew I Had a Choice (106-131). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.

Luan Khong, B.S. (2007). The Buddha's influence in the therapy room. Hakomi Forum, 18, 11-18.