RATING MYSELF: I'll try to stay in reality for this one!

     I have started to really talk to my 17 yr old son about being very careful in the decisions that he makes now whether it is the friends and associates he has or even choosing to get a tattoo, because as he goes through life and matures and keeps an open mind to learning he should change his views on some things and be careful about making decisions that potentially are very permanent and damaging.

     At this particular time in my life I will rate myself a --6-- for my physical well being because everything that I know about life so far and what I know about myself is that if I would discipline myself to excercise and join the walkers and runners I see everyday on my street I would feel much better, I would have the energy level to do all that I try to do, and most of all my beginning stages of heart disease which is hereditary would probably subside.

I don't head my own advice, in the area of excercise, but I thoroughly believe that it is the answer to many issues, and I have work to do to find the discipline and time, but at least I understand where I am at with this.

     Spiritually, I will rate myself an 8, I recently commented on someone's blog that I have reached the point where I openly express that I am Agnostic, and that I periodically take time to read Buddhist teachings, and writings.  I feel a weight has been lifted from me in terms of going for so long in life trying to conform to particular environment or discussion I would have at the time, and not in agreement with their beliefs but just wasn't willing to get into a heavy discussion or confrontation.

With Buddhism, the teachings or Dharma is just that teachings, and I  believe it provides a path to guide you through life, opposed to worshiping a God that is many things to many people and leaving myself open to much hypocrisy.

After traveling through several countries and witnessing different religions practicing what I believed to be its purest form, I am very comfortable in my choice to be Agnostic.

     Psychologically, that is a little more difficult, because in terms of my concerns about politics and social issues, and problems on a global scale and how they affect my life I would say that I am a 7,  because I am alway listening and learning about what is going on in the world, but I don't actively have the time to do more than what I am doing in my life right now.

In terms of a more personal rating, I will rate myself a 9.  Aside from wishing I had more money, I feel that I am doing everything within my power to raise my two sons even though one is quite challenging because of his physical disabilities.  This is based on feedback from other family members and professionals, I think if it weren't for their positive comments I would feel differently.

Yet, my mental health is always a work in progress because as they say "s---  happens.".

     The primary goal that needs a lot of work at this time in my life is excercise.  There are no real excuses that are legitimate and keep me from doing at least 30 min a day and of course eating properly.  Once again I do believe this will have a positive effect on every aspect of my well being.

    

       As for the the relaxation excercise, I relaxed alright, to the point of falling asleep!