[Renovation]

One of my challenges is an insecurity about not being smart enough. Particularly challenging now that I am unemployed. I deal with a lot of very highly educated people and am easily intimidated even though I also have a graduate degree from a top university.

In the past, I have not been very disciplined academically not because I'm not or wasn't willing to work hard because I do and I have but mostly because I have had problems with sleep all of my adult life so I often felt mentally tired and had a hard time concentrating. I was also pretty shy, nervous and lacked confidence when speaking in front of others. I took Paxil as an adult, which helped me. I'm off it now. I also see a psychologist, which also helps. And now I have found PC. I believe if I had had this type of support when I was younger, I could have performed better academically.

Given this background, one of my goals for 2010 is to "get smarter". First thing, I need to accept that I am smart enough and believe in my capacity. When I operate from a place of compassion and kindness for myself and others, I am at my best. So making an effort to put myself in this state of mind will be part of my Brain Fitness program. I also believe in brain fitness, so I am going to embark on a self-designed brain fitness program and am going to use PC to track my activity.

My goals for January are:

Compassion ritual: 20
Vocab days (learn 5 new words): 20
Memory book: Read 30 pages
Play Jumble: 20x
Brush my teeth with my left-hand: 10x
Evening relaxation routine: 10
Gratitude journal entries: 15

Thank you for giving me a place where I can work toward realizing my full potential.

Good luck.

[Renovation]

Jumble: X
Vocab: X
Gratitude List: X
Smile List: X
Memory: Read Ch. 2
Voice exercise: X
Brushed teeth with left-hand: X
Washed face before bedtime: X - Felt good
Did breathing/stretching exercises before bedtime: X
Posture exercise: X
Did foot massage: X

New words:

Obdurate = stubborn
Obfuscate = confuse, muddle

Memorized the following 10 words through the technique of "ridiculous linking"

Airplane
Tree
Envelopes
Earrings
Bucket
Sing
Basketball
Salami
Stars
Nose

I'm feeling a little bit tired. I worked until late last night and then got up early this morning and continued to work and then went to the gym and did a vigorous workout. I still worry about finding an opportunity to get some work but I am not standing still. I need to allow myself to rest and relax and not feel guilty if I take care of myself.

[Catherine2]

Renovation,
I also wish you well...

Perhaps adding one more thing will double the benefits of your plan...Playtime.
Playtime is not a waste of time; laughter is as good, if not better, than a few sessions with a T. Watching a movie that has no redeeming social value but gives us belly laughs and moments of relaxation is a wonderful way of being kind to ourselves...same with a book or magazine...singing, or in my case making noise, is a release.
It doesn't have to be added to any list, just be willing to grab it when it presents itself.

In Peace

[Renovation]

Originally Posted by Catherine2

Renovation,
I also wish you well...

Perhaps adding one more thing will double the benefits of your plan...Playtime.
Playtime is not a waste of time; laughter is as good, if not better, than a few sessions with a T. Watching a movie that has no redeeming social value but gives us belly laughs and moments of relaxation is a wonderful way of being kind to ourselves...same with a book or magazine...singing, or in my case making noise, is a release.
It doesn't have to be added to any list, just be willing to grab it when it presents itself.

In Peace

Hi Catherine2,

Thank you for the kind advice. This is great advice. In fact, one of the behaviors I am going to try and change is to watch less TV, especially the news. And you are so right that laughter/humor is incredible medicine. In fact, I have set up a goal for myself to think about something that made me laugh and allow myself to be silly - it does feel good.

Kind regards

[Renovation]

Jumble: X
Vocab: X
Gratitude List: X
Laugh/Smile Exercise: X
Memory: Read Ch. 3
Voice exercise: X
Brushed teeth with left-hand: X
"Facial" treatment: X - Felt good
Did breathing/stretching exercises before bedtime: X
"Let Loose" walk/exercise: X
Posture exercise: X
Did foot massage: X
Prep'd clothes for tomorrow: X
Wrote out tomorrow's "game plan": X
Drank tea: X
Extra credit: read "The Economist"

I strive to posses Buddhanatural qualities:
- Boundless wisdom
- Infinite capability
- Immeasurable loving-kindness

[Yoda]

Awesome!!!

[Renovation]

Jumble: X
Vocab: X
Gratitude List: X
Laugh/Smile Exercise: X
Memory: Read Ch. 4 - Substitution
Voice exercise: X
Brushed teeth with left-hand: X
"Facial" treatment: X - Felt good
Did breathing/stretching exercises before bedtime: X
"Let Loose" walk/exercise: X
Posture exercise: X
Did foot massage: X
Prep'd clothes for tomorrow: X
Wrote out tomorrow's "game plan": X
Drank tea: X
Extra credit: memorized first 10 states using link and substitution technique

New words:
Nebulous = vague, unclear
Nefarious = very wicked
Niggardly = very stingy, parsimonious
Noisome = foul-smelling
Obdurate = stubborn
Notorious = unfavorably known
Oblivion = forgetfulness
Obsequious = slavishly attentive, servile, sycophantic

Note:
Drank more water - good job!
Reviewed positive affirmations
Listened to classical music

"If we are to imagine a future, why not imagine a positive one?"