#wondrousmindblog

Photo Credit: Madeline Apperson You have taught me to look at myself from a different point-of-view; one which steps back to break down the ways of the world. I have learned that as we grow up we realize that life is not perfect and perhaps we are not as functional as we once thought. Sometimes it is the things that make us less functional, less perfect, and most scared, which direct us to the things that make us happy. And through your weeks, I have learned just that. For each tear, each moment of anxiety, and every chance to escape from fear, reminds me of my goal (set up through you), to achieve happiness. With you, we have ventured to yoga classes, made tea, searched for relaxing products, and even bought a bunny. Together we have gone out into this strange world searching for things to make us happy. Sure these "things" were exciting and made us happy, but how long could 12 tea bags last, 16 pieces of gum stay flavorful, and a bunny stay so sweet and innocent? It was a matter of time before these events were over, gone, or grew up, to which we realized we needed something else to make us happy. So we detoxed and bought a dog, and even ate granola bars searching for similar results. Of course these worked. But they too came and went. Now, looking back, we sure did stumble over the best stress management, reliever, and voice of all time; ourselves. There is no food, no drink, no pet, or no practice that can fully make us happy. Sure these things all help, and perhaps the past statement contradicts all that I have posted within your walls, but there is nothing as sweet as self-satisfaction. I told you from day 1 what my mom said, "you dictate your own happiness." It was our voice and our life which we once complained about, felt anxious by, and even overwhelmed, but through the weeks we've learned to find our happiness within. I appreciate our journey and those who have been along for the ride. Yes I learned how to manage my stress, but what I learned most of all was myself. until next time... -m

An inside look at stress; not from my point of view.

Photo Credit: Becky Bruno Above is a BioVeda machine used as a homeopathic treatment for stress and psychological illnesses.

Photo Credit: Associated Press Featured is a closer look at some designs of tarot cards.

Throughout my journey, I have put a lot of pressure on family and friends for feedback and advice. Though I am grateful to you all, I thought I would use this post as a chance to say thank you to my number one Guinea pig. So here's to you Carmen, my loyal test subject. It was not too long ago that I sat and complained about, well just about everything. Because I am always looking for ways to contain and control the sounds in my head, I thought it was a brilliant idea to head to a local tarot card reader. I figured receiving a tarot card reading would make me feel...a bit more positive about the direction of my life. So, Carmen and I headed out to experience my very first tarot card reading. When we arrived at the store in which the readings took place, I panicked and decided that I was too stressed out and nervous to have the reading done myself. So me, the good girlfriend that I am, decided that instead of me following through with the reading, I would offer the "energy" owned by who else? Carmen. Fortunately, his reader agreed to let me sit in on the tarot card reading. Tarot card readings are not meant to tell you your fortune or future. Their purpose is to connect with one's higher self. There are two types of readings: question readings and open readings. The difference is explained in their names. Question readings being used for specific questions from the person receiving the reading, and open readings addressing the larger aspects of life, nothing specific. Open readings are done when entering new phases of life. I guess I should have done my research before deciding to get a reading done. My vision of a tarot card reading was something like a small room filled with lush pillows and drapes, made of velvet, in dark shades of red, purple, green, and blue. The "reader" would we dressed in long flowing robes with beads and gems dripping from head to toe. You would enter this room, with this mystic woman who told the upcoming cycles of your life. Needless to say, the bland room with a sheet partition, fold out table and chairs, along with an everyday looking woman was not what I had imagined. Anyways, the reading began, for Carmen, and I listened as his "reader" provided insight on his current journey. I thought the reading would be a bit more specific, and believe me I am not choosing to eliminate information, his "reader" just provided the bare essentials. Carmen was told to shuffle the deck of cards and cut the deck, to "transfer his energy," while focusing on the areas of life he wanted addressed. After the deck was cut, the reader laid out the cards in the spread, resembling a Celtic cross. Each card featured an elaborate illustration, representing Minor Arcana and Major Arcana. The position of the cards dictated what their meaning was. In the end, his cards indeed mapped out his past and current journey; however, the reading stopped at what we already knew, and did not delve into what's to come. Although the reading turned out to be much more different than I had imagined, it opened my eyes to something I didn't necessarily know. While I sit and stress over the future, I don't necessarily take the time to open my eyes and appreciate the journey that I am on. Which made me think, why do we allow ourselves to stress over the future? Is not accepting our journey just as exciting and fulfilling? What I learned from this experience, even though it wasn't my journey laid out from a deck of cards, is that hearing about what's yet to come may just reaffirm everything we already know. In the end a tarot card reading connects to one's higher self.

Photo Credit: Madeline Apperson As I continue to research stress and how it can be treated, prevented and maintained, the more I realize that there is an entire market devoted towards stress management. I recently went to Wegman’s to do routine shopping when I discovered an entire section for homeopathic medicines, herbs, teas and remides designed to prevent, treat and maintain chronic illnesses, common colds, viruses, and even anxiety and stress. I was always aware this enchanting aisle existed, but I never took the time to actually peruse my way through it. While taking a closer look, I found a section marked off for stress, anxiety and depression specifically. Bach Flower Remedies Ltd., developed in Germany, was developed by Dr. Edward Bach more than 80 years ago. The specializes in homeopathic remedies to cure a wide variety of discomforts and distress. Specific to my research, I was drawn to Bach’s Rescue Gum. The gum is a natural stress relief. It features a zesty orange and elder flower flavor, the center containing “4 drops of Rescue the famous combination, of Five Bach Flower Remedies discovered by Dr. Edward Bach and used by millions around the world.” The gum is believed to be a go-to remedy for anxiety producing situations such as (but not limited to) tests, job interviews, nerves and high pressure situations. I questioned the validity and effectiveness of this gum, given it was only a few dollars and tucked away in that enchanting aisle. Nevertheless, I took a chance with the gum and bought it. The following day my friend Nikole and I were sitting in class. She mentioned how restless her legs felt and describe an abnormal sensation she was experiencing. I admit that I felt bad for her, but I was also excited to try out my “new” product on her, to see if it affected her in any way and get a better understanding of the taste. After a few minutes of chewing the gum, she noticed a change in her behavior. She said that she even felt a sense of calm come over her. While we weren’t entirely sure if it was the gum itself, or her reading the package and mentally believing it worked, it seemed somewhat effective. I’ve experienced some stressful situations since purchasing the gum, for example yoga. Before each of these events occur I have chewed a piece of the Rescue Gum. I am not kidding when I tell you that it works! The gum has a natural yet soothing taste to it. In a weird way it takes your mind off of what is making you stressed. Thanks to more research, I have found other’s success stories using the Rescue Gum and Bach products. Some people even use the products on their pets! If you find yourself in stressful situations or under pressure, I encourage you to invest in this gum. If you aren’t much of a gum chewer, that’s okay too, because there are oils, lotions and even dissolvable pills designed to cater to your needs. It may seem strange but hey, you’ll never know unless you try it. Sometimes in life it’s the little things that help us the most, even like a piece of gum.

As promised, I said I would explain the significance of my design for Wondrous Mind. The past few days have been a bit stressful: money, car problems, still no job... You get the picture. But instead of sitting here and telling you my stressful problems, I chose to find inspiration among the chaos. Fresh off my yoga experience, I noticed myself thinking a bit differently. A while back my mom and I went to our first mindful meditation class. The class consisted of my mom, myself, one other young woman and our instructor. A young red-haired guy with a makeshift turbine. Let's just say the image I had going into my experience was way off. The entire meditation session consisted of repeating our provided mantra, something along the lines of, "om nah mo," at least that's what it sounded like. P.S I spelled that phonetically. Mantra's are used as a very powerful practice encompassing the teachings of the Buddha dharma. The intent to cultivate perfection in generosity and wisdom. Anyways the instructor of this class had a country accent and an obvious crush on the only other girl in the class. I found it impossible to meditate. Let's just say I never went back. I was told, numerous times, that it is healthy to meditate before the start of each day. After my yoga experience, I realized just that. "Meditation is a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces the mode of consciousness, as a benefit, or an end in itself." In itself, meditation is designed to direct awareness inward while striving to achieve pure awareness. With that came inspiration for my design. The seated figure represents my experience at yoga. A start of a long journey, hence the infinity symbol used for the legs. The head of the figure is a representation of the third eye chakra. The symbol is used as a representation of an invisible eye which provides perception beyond ordinary sight. The eye is meant to lead to the inner realms of higher consciousness. It is my goal to achieve this level, the highest level of spiritual connection. Tonight I was inducted into an honor society within the department of communication at RIT. While it was an honor to be inducted, my focus was on our induction speaker. She used the term "eudaimonia." It was an expression of virtue, it focuses on a condition of human flourishing. Essentially, eudaimonia is directed at achieving inner consciousness and inner peace. In a strange way, I feel like my spiritual journey, through every stressful event, is starting to come full circle. And in a strange way, not particularly planned out, every lesson I've learned thus far, is captured in my design. By the way, at the end of my meditation, my country accent, red haired turbine wearing instructor handed me a mug filled with yogi tea. Until next time...