Yoga

Ever taken part in a yoga class?? Or, perhaps, you've tried it on the Wii fit? Today we're replacing class with yoga.

Check out: http://www.yogajournal.com/ for more information or tips for your life.

Check later for additional videos or clips from our yoga experience!

Eating Disorders - not a thing of the past

When I was in high school, eating disorders were focused on somewhat heavily. Every time a classmate wasn't eating as was thought they should, someone would wonder. In a small school, word got around fast. Most concerns weren't valid - they were simply someone trying to stir up gossip. However, eating disorders aren't something to toy around with, and they aren't just a fad that begins and ends in high school. Recently, a student at our college was found dead of complications stemming from earlier struggles with anorexia. This news was (and continues to be) shocking and saddening for the campus, community, and family and friends of this student.

As future counselors, what can you do to increase awareness of eating disorders? What steps can you take to ensure you are setting a good example for others? And, lastly, if you are struggling yourself, where can you go to receive help so something similar doesn't happen to you?

No class, but higher expectations

No class for a week! It may be a dream come true for some of you - but stressful for others, too. Although we aren't having class, we still have assignments due. It is my hope that you are able to spend quality time working on these projects. They are tough to do in class - but finding time to meet outside of class is difficult as well.

Do I expect to much? No, I think expectations aren't high enough sometimes. However, students really should have the real "say" in where the expectations are. Hopefully each one of them knows what they can achieve at this point in their career. Can they push themselves even higher? That's for them to decide. I am not a Jillian Michaels, I don't push that hard. Perhaps, though, results would be of better quality if I were. However, that's not who I am right now.
Push yourselves harder and grow deeper - in ways you had only dreamed of before. How do you get to be a successful counselor {insert career goal}? By being the best PERSON you can be.

Use this class as an opportunity to find out who you really are. Then choose whether to accept that person or challenge that person to change. That's what this class is for.

growING...

My original idea to exercise more seems to be a thought of the past...the WAY past. I haven't nearly enough time to think about exercising....and now that it is cold, my thoughts are near to dead. (However, I do clearly remember one morning I did 10 minutes of hula hooping on the Wii Fit. I love that game.)

Personally, I have so many goals in life - perhaps, dreams is a better word - but it doesn't seem that there is enough time or energy or money to complete those. I have made tiny bits of progress..but my biggest progression has been to stop and think about the goals I have. Organization has seemed to help, and will continue to help my achievement of personal growth goals.

An unconventional idol

"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are."
-Kurt Cobain

In college, one of my part time jobs was to tutor a young male who was struggling in school. He was also in trouble with the law, but that was not my area of expertise. He had been into some trouble and had an interesting lifestyle. He, nevertheless, had some interesting and nontraditional idols. Kurt Cobain was one of his idols. Each week we met at the library, and after he finished his homework, he was able to look for some books to read to pass the time. One of his favorites was Kurt's life story. It was uncomfortable for me to hear praise for him when I had known of different parts of his lifestyle.

This story doesn't have a lot to do with the quote, just that whenever I hear of Kurt Cobain I think of my young mentee. Perhaps, though, had I known about this quote back then, I would have been more motivated to encourage learning about Kurt Cobain.

This quote has had significant importance on my life - and will continue to. It is something that I am able to repeat to myself regularly. It is too easy in this world to get wrapped up in someone else's life and "wish" for something else.

What can YOU be proud of? Who are YOU? Those are important questions to look at - and answer - without having any reservations.

Thanks, Kurt, for providing good in the midst of trouble.