#self_reflection

[phonemantra-blog]

The Benefits of Prayer: Unlocking the Power Within The Power of Prayer Prayer, a spiritual practice that has been embraced by various cultures and religions for centuries, holds immense power. It offers a profound connection between individuals and a higher power, enabling them to find solace, guidance, and inner strength. In this article, we explore the numerous benefits of prayer and how it can positively impact our lives. Enhancing Mental Well-being Prayer has been found to have a remarkable impact on mental well-being. Engaging in regular prayer can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It provides individuals with a sense of peace, comfort, and hope, enabling them to navigate through life's challenges with greater resilience. Furthermore, prayer promotes mindfulness and a sense of gratitude. It encourages individuals to reflect on their blessings, fostering a positive mindset and reducing negative thoughts. By focusing on their spiritual connection, individuals can find solace and a renewed sense of purpose. Improving Physical Health Studies have indicated that prayer can have a positive impact on physical health. Engaging in prayer has been associated with lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and improved overall cardiovascular health. The act of prayer triggers a relaxation response, reducing the harmful effects of stress on the body. Moreover, prayer can enhance the body's natural healing process. It is believed to strengthen the immune system, promote faster recovery from illnesses, and alleviate pain. By integrating prayer into their daily routine, individuals can experience improved overall well-being. Strengthening Relationships Prayer not only fosters a deeper connection with a higher power but also strengthens relationships with others. It encourages individuals to express gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion. By praying for the well-being of loved ones, friends, and even strangers, individuals can cultivate empathy and develop a greater sense of interconnectedness. Furthermore, prayer can serve as a powerful tool for resolving conflicts and promoting reconciliation. It allows individuals to seek guidance and wisdom, enabling them to approach challenging situations with a calm and compassionate mindset. Empowering Personal Growth Prayer is an essential practice for personal growth and self-reflection. It provides individuals with an opportunity to introspect, set intentions, and seek guidance for their life's journey. Through prayer, individuals can gain clarity, discover their purpose, and align their actions with their values. Moreover, prayer can instill a sense of discipline and commitment. By dedicating time each day to prayer, individuals cultivate a habit of self-care and spiritual nourishment. This regular practice can lead to increased self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. [caption id="attachment_80580" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] the benefits of prayer[/caption] Prayer is a powerful practice that offers numerous benefits for individuals seeking spiritual connection, personal growth, and overall well-being. By engaging in regular prayer, individuals can experience enhanced mental and physical health, stronger relationships, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Embrace the power of prayer and unlock the transformative potential within you. Frequently Asked Questions 1. How does prayer benefit an individual? Prayer provides emotional support, reduces stress, and promotes a sense of inner peace and well-being. 2. Can prayer improve physical health? Yes, studies have shown that prayer can have positive effects on physical health by boosting the immune system and reducing blood pressure. 3. Does prayer help with mental clarity and focus? Absolutely! Prayer can enhance mental clarity, improve focus, and increase mindfulness, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving abilities. 4. Can prayer strengthen relationships? Yes, prayer can foster a sense of unity, empathy, and forgiveness, which can strengthen relationships with others. 5. Does prayer provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life? Definitely! Prayer helps individuals connect with their spirituality, find meaning in life, and develop a sense of purpose. 6. Can prayer reduce anxiety and promote emotional well-being? Yes, prayer has been found to reduce anxiety levels, alleviate symptoms of depression, and promote emotional well-being. 7. Does prayer enhance self-discipline and self-control? Absolutely! Prayer can strengthen self-discipline and self-control by promoting self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-regulation. 8. Can prayer improve overall happiness and life satisfaction? Yes, prayer can contribute to a greater sense of happiness and life satisfaction by promoting gratitude, contentment, and a positive outlook. 9. Does prayer provide a sense of comfort during difficult times? Definitely! Prayer can offer comfort, solace, and a sense of hope during challenging and distressing situations. 10. Can prayer strengthen one's connection with a higher power or divine entity? Yes, prayer is a means to establish and strengthen a personal connection with a higher power, whether it be God, the universe, or one's spiritual beliefs.

[matinroslan]

Creative Practice and Critical Thinking

I understand that creative practice involves generating new, imaginative ideas and solutions whereas critical thinking involves analysing, evaluating and making informed decisions based on evidence and logic. They can be used together to allow myself as an artist to foster innovation and effective problem-solving in my various works in school. From my point of view, when I engage in creative practice as an design student, it becomes a form of self-exploration. Through the act of creating design, I delve into my own thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences. 

As a design student myself, I’ve come to realise that my assignments frequently come with their fair share of challenges and hurdles. For instance, in the Studio module, I have to create posters for the Baybeats festival. One of my weaknesses is that my posters tend to be generic. Due to such a case, I consulted my lecturer and was given a better idea of concept making and realised the importance of having a visual identity for my poster. I resolve this problem by understanding better about having audience engagement, having a typography layout that’s not generic, ensuring the right visual elements and message clarity and lastly consulting lecturers for feedback for a few times. As I face these tough problems, I get better at finding solutions. I find that this skill doesn't stay confined to the classroom as it can also be applied when it comes to my personal issues in life. This skill extends beyond art and proves useful in addressing personal life and work life challenges in the future. [259 words]

References:

[luka-edu]

w/c 20.05.24

Everything is coming to the end. I'm just finishing the last assignment before I have to write my thesis. The thesis, although already having an ethical review might need to have an ethics ammendment.

I'm conducting an imaging study where we measure the cerebral blood flow of individuals after ingesting peppermint, in hopes to shed light on the mediator between the relationship of peppermint and improved cognitive function. We realized that this is an MRes project with limited time, as such how can we ease the protocol to ensure participation? So we decided to use a control group and no baseline. This might result in more participants as the protocol is short, but it might also look bad when I'm describing it to academics when I apply for other positions. So we thought, maybe it's best to just have a rubbish sample, but ensure that the design was correct. As such we're thinking of doing a control group AND a baseline measure. This brings the protocol down to an hour, if I move efficiently. so I just hope this is the case. It's a bit sad that we're not allowed to remunerate participants. which would have been nice.

I'm definitely a bit tired after all of this, and I can't seem to find a PhD that looks like I'd be suitable for. Similarly I'm also weighing up a professional doctorate in counselling psychology, as it's been one of my dreams to be a neuropsychologist, but the money isn't there. It's the age old question... money or passion? the answer is I might just end up flipping a coin. There's nothing I hate more than being stagnant.

I suppose... goodbye?

:)

[vanitycx]

/self_reflection

[raachelwrites]

Humbled Cop [officer getting arrested commission]

If you're interested in getting your own personal commission, email me at raachelwrites@gmail.com

Sailing down the highway at a casual ten miles an hour over the speed limit, Ashley was about ten minutes away from the state border when the sound of wailing sirens caused her to curse softly. The red and blue lights grew harsher as the police cruiser neared, the colours illuminating the stillness of the night and the dark interior of Ashley’s car. She had to squint as the lights reflected off the glass windows, a sensation she should be more than used to by now. She brought her car to a crawl, hoping the cop just wanted to get by. Alas, the vehicle met her speed, meaning they wanted her to pull over. With a sneer and a string of mumbled swears, Ashley came to an aggressive stop by the side of the road. Unnecessarily, she had used the handbrake, causing the car to lurk before coming to a complete stop.

The cop car let out a final ‘woop woop’ before the sirens cut off. The unforgiving glare of the flashing lights persisted, however. By the time the officer was tapping on her window, Ashley was in the midst of rummaging in her glove compartment. “Yes yes,” she called out as she continued to search for her badge and car registration. With a quick flash of those and her famous smile, she’d be driving off in no time.

Resurfacing from her excavation with just the reg number, she fished her licence out of her purse. She prepared herself to charm the officer who’d pulled her over only to be met by an unexpected female face. The male she was hoping for was in fact a young black girl. Ashely squinted at her, not quite trusting her eyes at first glance. She looked like she should still be in college! She couldn’t have been older than 22. No matter, she thought to herself, if her womanly ways wouldn’t work for her in this situation, her rank and age certainly would.

With a gulp that reflected on her sudden lack of confidence, Ashley held down the button that brought the driver side window down.

“Licence and reg- oh…” the young officer began with an anxious waver to her tone, only to trail off when she saw both items presented to her

“I was going a bit fast wasn’t I?” Ashley let out a painfully fake laugh, “we sort of forget that when we’re in our own cars don’t we? I’m actually on my way to my precinct in the next state and -”

“Ma’am,” the young officer politely interrupted, “have you been drinking tonight?” She looked up from the notepad she was anxiously scribbling in. From Ashley’s years of experience as a cop herself, she knew all of her details were being taken down. What she looked like, what she said - what she said…

Shit. She must’ve thought Ashley was wasted! If only she hadn’t left her damn badge at home, then she’d get away with this little… mishap. Like usual.

Back home she could get away with getting behind the wheel after a few drinks, going a tad above the speed limit. Any time she got pulled over, the poor sod they got on traffic duty would take one look at her notorious face and send her on her merry way. Ashley was the hotshot of her department, making her way up through the ranks with ease. Her cocky attitude and relationship with the police gave her the deluded sense she could get away with… well murder.

But outside her jurisdiction, coming back slightly tipsy from a bar her friends just insisted she’d join for a few drinks, Ashley had no cards to play. She dipped her head as she confessed to the underling, “yeah I’ve had a few…”

A wave of shame washed over her. She’d tested the limits numerous times before - all in the safety net of her small hometown. She was out of her depth here in the real world. Here she was, pulled over by an amateur who’d probably never made an arrest before. Was Ashley her first? What example was she setting for the budding young cop? A DUI of all things… she was in her thirties now, and should be above such idiocy.

“I’m going to run your plates through my system then I’ll need you to do a breathalyser test for me, “ the young constable said, the lowest ranking officer in the police force. The name sewed into her shirt read ‘Higgins’. Ashley could tell she was nervously trying her best to stick to a script she’d no doubt memorised.

Knowing the drill, the disheartened Ashley nodded and switched off the car’s engine. She slouched in her seat as officer Higgins took her licence and registration paperwork to her cruiser. There she’d run all the information through the computer every police vehicle has equipped in order to check for inconsistencies and gather any more information on the criminal. That was what Ashley was now, not a big shot in a small town, but a lowly criminal no longer above the law.

As she was a rookie, the young officer would be doing everything by the book. This meant it felt like an age before she returned to Ashley’s car. When she appeared at the driver's side window she looked almost relieved that the older woman was still there. Keeping to protocol, she’d seized Ashley’s information and any to-hand personal belongings of value. Along with additional punishment for doing so, this deterred an individual from taking off.

In her hands, Higgins had a complicated machine that Ashley immediately identified as a breathalyser. Here goes nothing… She sat up in preparation for the young cop to tell her how it worked despite knowing every detail already.

“I need you to breathe hard into this machine, it’ll read the alcohol content in your breath,” she informed, then held it tentatively to Ashley’s lipstick painted mouth.

She takes a deep breath and blows. Having never been on that side of the machine before, the woman got a sense of unease that everyone she’d tested must have gotten. She couldn’t help but retroactively feel guilty for the lack of sympathy she showed towards those she’d done this to. Only now was she acknowledging the amount of anxiety it caused.

“Keep going, keep going, keep go - there, stop,” the officer instructed, letting her stop a moment before it felt like Ashley’s lungs would collapse. They both waited in anticipation for the device to decide her fate. Would she be done for drunk driving? Or would she be sent home with a warning for speeding? A mere slap on the wrist like usual? Hell, she’d be happy enough with getting a fine. Anything over the humiliation of getting arrested.

The tension was unbelievably thick by the time the girl spoke, to the point where if Ashley had remembered to breathe she’d be choking on it.

“You’re just above the limit ma’am, I’m going to have to take you down to the station…”

Ashley watched the cycle of excitement and dread rotate in the dark brown eyes of the soon to be the arresting officer. No doubt this was her first takedown, and of an older fellow police officer no less! These emotions were evident in her tone as she spoke, her voice peaky as she said, “I - I’m going to need you to step out of the vehicle - m-ma’am! I'm placing you under arrest for driving over the limit.”

There were those dreaded words. Arrested for something so stupid - at her age! She was no better than a rebelling high-schooler. She guessed she deserved to finally be treated like one.

Without a word or any sort of fuss, Ashley did as she was asked. Of course, she could go on about being a superior officer, demand her department be called, but… maybe she needed this? It was a wake up call of sorts, having a young black woman being the one to put an end to her hypocritical streak of reckless behaviour.

Once out of the car, the keys to which are handed over. Guided with a hand on her upper arm the women moved to the front of the police vehicle. There, Ashley is instructed to put her hands behind her head, face the cruiser and endure a pat down. Having done this to others on a daily basis for years, Ashley knew the correct position for the most perfect pat down, therefore nailing the form. She stood with her legs apart and arms taunt for easy access.

Officer Higgins proceeded with a thorough search of the black slacks Ashley wore, obtaining her cell phone to put with the rest of her belongings. The dark red crop top that matched the crimson shade of her lips didn’t conceal anything. Ashley was very tempted to praise the girl for a job well done but didn’t want to come across as patronising and dig herself into a deeper hole. Despite the officer’s uncertainty of herself, she’d gotten into the police somehow and therefore must have an edge Ashley rather have gone unseen.

“I'm sure you know what they are… uh but I'm obligated to read you your rights... Oh!” she added, frantically flicking through her trusty notebook, “I've also been instructed tooo… uhm -” she proceeds to read straight from her notes, “ - to make note of any bodily modifications on the off chance you fail to comply, resist arrest and flee. In which case, any specifics given shall aid in the identification and recapture of a suspected offender…” She cleared her throat, seemingly uncomfortable with what she just read.

“Go for it,” Ashley sighed out, careful not to add the word ‘kid’ at the end which she instinctively would have.

“One navel piercing… ring…” she said, as she wrote, “I need you to face the dashcam there for visual proof, here let me…” While Ashley still had her hands interlocked behind her head, the officer guided her body - arching her back a little bit in order to display her exposed stomach for the camera, making sure to get a clear view of the piercing.

Suddenly remembering a detail she eagerly continued her scribbling, “one lower back tattoo - oh shoot it's not going to pick it up at all… uhh hold on!” Panicked, the girl leant her arrestee over the hood of the car. Then she took out her personal phone and snapped a picture of Ashley’s lower back tattoo, the flash illuminating the design. What was previously hidden in the darkness of the night is revealed temporarily to be a cherry blossom branch in which the floating petals morphed into Japanese origami paper cranes. All of the details of which were also noted.

Ashley shifted her weight from foot to foot, her arms had begun to tire. Thankfully that part of the tedious procedure was over. Now for her first time in handcuffs… what a humbling experience this was, would she get a record? Would this cost her her job? No matter the outcome, she would have to change her ways. What a failure she was as a cop - as a grown-ass adult…

Before she could dip too deep into her shame, a tap on her back signified she was being spoken to, “ma’am? I said you can lower your hands, just put them here, where your tattoo is, then I’ll need to cuff you.”

“Right, sorry,” she spoke glumly. Once again her form was perfect and made the cop’s job easier. She arched her back out of the way of her hands which she held out slightly, the back of her wrists touching. The cold metal bracelets of imprisonment were soon strapped on. With them came the reading of the Miranda Rights which, of course, Ashley knew by heart.

“You have the right to remain silent;” officer Higgins started, her voice wavering slightly as she tried hard to sound professional and serious, “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law; You have the right to an attorney and have him present during the interrogation… uh…”

“‘If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you,’” Ashley finished for the young woman in a tone she hoped didn’t sound too bored or condescending. She offered her a soft smile and was rewarded with an alleviated one in return.

“Y-yes exactly! Thanks,” she sighed out, looking as relieved to be almost done with the whole ordeal as much as Ashley was.

Only after a short amount of time, Ashley began to get uncomfortable in the unnatural position her arms were in. Every slight movement caused the too-tight cuffs to dig into her wrists. The cold bite of the metal deterred her from letting them touch the exposed skin of her back. The effort to keep her arms away from her body only aided in the discomfort.

And with that, she escorted the offender by her cuffed hands to the back seat of the police car. She opened the door for the woman and helped her duck into the vehicle. Sat in the driver’s seat, Higgins went through a checklist in her mind of everything she had to do. With everything marked off, she switched off the flashing lights in exchange for the regular headlamps and peeled away from the curb. Making a U-turn she drove back in the direction they’d come from.

What was once ten minutes from the home stretch would now be hours spent behind the wrong side of some bars in a dank prison cell with the rest of society’s delinquents and miscreants. It would be a night of many lessons learnt, and certainly, one to remember.

...

▲

Support me on Patreon or buy me a coffee! Thank you ^^

[himalayanholisticyoga]

 Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh India @Himalayan Holistic Yoga "You need to stop identifying yourself with your mind to see your true self". #self_reflection #mindless #stillness #findingyourself #mindfulness #himalayanholisticyoga Contact us for more details: www.himalayanholisticyoga.com info@himalayanholisticyoga.com (at Himalayan Holistic Yoga) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5OwlYMnQWb/?igshid=zai1rkr0n9eb

[darkfated-moved]

                                         “ ... i tried making a new tiramisu from scratch and was hoping for an opinion, if that’s alright ... ! ”  that, and yui definitely wanted to share with herself-- after all, who deserves sweets more than her own self ?! no one, that’s who !!

                                                                                                / @sherbet-sacrifice

[dialogueschannel]

Steve Bannon resigns as President Donald Trump?s chief strategist: Special Report

[eman-m-gamal]

#personal #Alex

#stanly

#Self_reflection

[yogatoursindia]

"Take some time to reflect " ”The journey into self-love and self-acceptance must begin with self-examination… until you take the journey of self-reflection, it is almost impossible to grow or learn in life.” #reflect #selflove #journey #grow #self_reflection #self_examination #self_acceptance #impossible_to_possible #divine #light #love #yoga #yogalife #yoga_journey #yogatoursindia www.yogatoursindia.in

[erasmusinete-blog]

To know ourselves as human beings

#self_Reflection

[luka-edu]

w/c 13.05.24

Took myself to the lit and phil for an emergency study day. I think it's old distraction free aesthetic is a conducive environment to get the juices flowing. Ended up finishing my placement manuscript and then getting started on R. BIT LATE but we move. Overall it's been a good lesson in time management in this masters degree!

There's not much to reflect on here, besides that I think it's pretty cool that I did this MRes. Or at least.. will have, dissertation pending. I've managed to get a taste of the hustle, working three jobs, doing this degree at the same time, in hopes of going somewhere better. I've improved coding and writing skills, I've made connections and I've strengthened my focus. In the sense that, compared to undergrad, if I'm running late I better move as the consequences are far more severe.

I am left with a concern though. WHere tf is my money going to come from? (Stressed Emote)

R assignment 2 finished and submitted by the end of the week (not my finest work at all), although what did I learn? I learned that the true distinction is the friends we made along the... no not really, I learned that it's a good thing I got good grades at the start of the masters so that the consequences of my burnout aren't too severe.

Anyway. NEXT.

If you look close you might see me? JK I stole this picture. Because I was actually doing my work not photography.

ciao x

[nyuz-blog]

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”- Melody Beattie #self_reflection #silencingTHEbeast (at Centurion, Gauteng)

[jadie-lady]

Abstract self reflection. When you live with eczema as your whole life is a daily struggle to feel normal and comfortable in your own skin. I'm finally finding beauty in my skin and working on love it even when I break out. #art #artoftheday #watercolorpaper #self_reflection #arttherapy #healing #personalartwork

[himalayanholisticyoga]

Morning Beach Yoga in Rishikesh - India

Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh India @Himalayan Holistic Yoga "You need to stop identifying yourself with your mind to see your true self".

#self_reflection #mindless #stillness #findingyourself #mindfulness #himalayanholisticyoga

Contact us for more details: www.himalayanholisticyoga.com info@himalayanholisticyoga.com

[picturestoriez]

all what you have done is an unerasable part of yourself. it is not possible to reverse an experiences or even to destroy memories. so make the most of oneself :) #selfie #self_reflection #s3 #harddisk #february_dpt #february_dpt_02