Learning Challenge: Paying Attention

This week was my "attention" learning challenge week. I wanted to find something that would allow me to focus a little bit better. I came across the article "9 Things You'll Notice After Meditating For Just 1 Minute." This appealed to me for a couple of reasons: I love lists, and I can hop on board with anything that only takes a minute.

A man doing meditation in Rose Valley. (Source: Moyan Brenn)

Minute Meditation

Proposed Benefits:

The author posed that they noticed nine things after meditating for one minute. 

1. Able to stay in the moment.

2. Send of smell was stronger.

3. Less worried about to-do list.

4. More aware of what they were eating.

5. Had time to reflect.

6. Noticed their breath.

7. Didn't think about their phone.

8. Sat up straighter.

9. Felt content.

Benefits I Noticed:

So, some of these things seemed likely to happen. But some...not so much. I was on a mission to try this one minute meditation, and I noticed some of my own benefits. 

1. I did feel like I was better at being able to stay in the moment. I think with the hustle and bustle of the day, it is easy to constantly be thinking of what's next. Taking time to just be in the now was really nice, and I noticed that throughout the day I was also able to focus on the present more.

2. This kind of goes with the first part, but I was able to stop worrying about my to-do list. In class, I look at my to-do list at least ten times. After meditating, however, I was able to just chill out and focus on the class.

3. I definitely enjoyed reflecting during my meditation time. I used it as a time to think about what I needed to do today and what I had accomplished so far.

To Be Continued?

Well, as you can see, meditation isn't some super-power. It doesn't offer the same benefits to every person. However, I think it does offer up some time that you specifically put aside to relax, reflect, and refine. I think meditating for a minute or two most certainly offers up the benefit of added focus. 

Growth Mindset: Successful Phrases

This week, I came across an interesting article on Yahoo, where a Stanford professor says that eliminating these two phrases from your vocabulary can actually make you more successful.

This professor, Bernard Roth, makes a link to language and success. Why? Because language - the way you speak - affects how others perceive you and your behavior. If you talk like a successful person, you will approach life with a more successful point of view.

Choose your phrasing for success! Be positive! (Source: geralt)

Successful Phrases?

Swap "but" for "and"

The idea is that using the phrase "but" puts you into a conflict mindset. Roth says that by using and, "your brain gets to consider how it can deal with both parts of the sentence." You might say things like, "I want to hang out with my friends, but I have homework." Instead, you should phrase it as "I want to hang out, AND I have homework." This swap allows you to have the best of both worlds, you just have to multitask/prioritize a bit.

Swap "have to" for "want to"

This phrase swap allows you to realize that the things you do every day are a choice that you have made. You were not forced to attend class, you chose to. You were not forced to do your homework, you chose to. The key point here, is to put a more positive focus on your choices.


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For the rest of this week, I am going to try switching up my phrases and see how it affects me. Maybe I will feel more confident, or maybe this is just some hoop-la. I will let you know in my Famous Last Words post!

Week 3 Review

Third week down! As usual, I like to back-up any sites in which I have made changes to (Blogger, Google Site, Pinterest). I also like to make for sure that I didn't miss any declarations for my weekly assignments. This is also a good time to look back on the weekly announcements and make sure I didn't miss anything. A lot of interesting information can be found on those announcements! My favorite was the bit on "The Writer's Mask" from Wednesday!

A quote from Oscar Wilde. Masks at Pixabay.

Week 3: Famous Last Words

I cannot believe the third week of my last semester is already coming to an end! It really feels so surreal. On one hand, I am so excited to be graduation, but on the other hand, I will dearly miss my friends. On the bright side, I will have these last word posts to look back on and remember my semster!

Reading for this week:

For this week, I did a lot of reading for the growth mindset and HEART challenges. I had already finished my assigned reading, so I took advantage of the time and learned some interesting things on how to improve myself! (You can check out my favorite two challenges on my Growth Mindset and Learning Challenge posts!)

Best writing for this week:

For this week, I wrote a story on the battle between Rama and Ravana. I was inspired by how Rama told his chariot driver to go slow, because Ravana's antics will soon exhaust him. It made me think of the Tortoise and Hare tale, where the turtle took him time during the race and WON! I think the mash-up turned out pretty great.

Other classes:

In my Improved Recovery course we are still covering waterfloods. We are learning how to determine the water saturation and velocity of a water front (it is interesting, I promise). Capstone continues to be my favorite - we get to do decline curve analysis on about 50 wells, determine the EUR, and then put a bid price on the field! Production has been pretty boring, and it has been quite the challenge to pay attention in that class. What I plan on doing is printing any old info I have (past tests, homeworks, etc.), bringing that to class, and answering the questions as they come up in class. I think this plan will "force" me to pay attention, and will also help me prepare for the upcoming exam. 

Outside of school:

This week I had the chance to alter a dress (well, hem it). It was a gorgeous floor length formal gown, and it was a tad too long for the young lady who needed to wear it THAT NIGHT! So, I had quite the time crunch, but managed to get it just perfect for her. It sparked an idea that I could do alterations this semester as a "job", instead of getting an actual job. I usually charge about $20 (which is much cheaper than other tailors), and the many of the girls I have talked to thought it was a great idea! It will also allow me to be creative and continue my passion for sewing! 

I was pretty stoked about my pin-cushion wristband! 

Here is my sewing in action

Learning Challenge: Being Empathetic

“Everything Doesn’t Happen For A Reason”

What is empathy, and how can I be more empathetic? (Source: Ron Mader)

As I “grow up”, I want to grow into a better individual. Not just academically/financially. I love these HEART challenges, because they allow me to grow into a better person. A more happy, loving person. I wanted to go through each of the categories at least once, and this week I challenged myself to study empathy.

What is empathy?

First off, in order to be an empathetic person, you need to know what empathy actually is – and is not. Empathy is the ability to understand and share feelings of another. It is not sympathy – feeling pity and sorrow for someone. You can watch this video by Lisa Martin, for a little more understanding on empathy:

What am I doing that is not empathetic?

When we say things like:

“I know exactly how you feel”

“Everything happens for a reason”

“Cheer up! Think positive”

“It’s totally for the best, you just don’t know it now”

“Time heals”

“God has a plan”

Why is this not empathetic?

First, ask yourself when you say these things – you say them when your friend/loved one is going through a hard time (such as, life transitions, losses, illness, uncertainty). And now, ask yourself what those above statements do to support the person in need – the answer is that they don’t. These statements act as “cover-ups”, they have the tendency to try and push the problem aside. The problem is, some things cannot be pushed aside, some things cannot be fixed with kind words, some thing just need to be dealt with, some things just need to be “carried”. 

Practice empathy in all of your relationships, and you will see the benefits! (Source: John Hain) 

What can I do that is empathetic?

Actions speak louder than words – care packages, small gifts, donations. All of these things provide your friend something comforting and easy. 

Words are good too – say a simple “I am sorry”, “I am here with you”, “I am here to help you in an way I can”. This allows your friend to talk if they want to talk, to do something with you if they want, or just sit there are mope. These statements allow your friend to know they are supported, but not have any obligations to cover up their pain. 

Give them love – both of the above options are signs of love, but it is also good to emphasize that you love your friend. You are there for them. Give them a hug. Cuddle (if they are cool with that). You know your friend, and you know how they feel loved.

Growth Mindset: Marginal Gains

This week for the growth mindset challenge, I wanted to study something that could impact the rest of my semester and future career. What you will find below is how small changes can make a big impact – and so, my goal for myself is to make these small changes to become an improved Morgan. For example, taking a few minutes a day to go over what I did each day. This will allow me to write down anything I missed, and also reflect on how much I accomplished (I really like doing this for the Famous Last Words posts, but I want to do it on a daily basis).

“How Making 1 Percent Improvements on Tiny Things Adds Up”

The quote that most stood out to me in this article was that “it’s so easy to overestimate the importance of one defining moment and underestimate the value of making better decisions on a daily basis.”

I think as a whole, we are only happy with ourselves if we see big changes – such a losing 20 pounds in one week. However, these big changes rarely last. How many times does a person starve themselves for one week, lose a bunch of weight, and then go back to eating and their original weight? 

With one small step, you can make a difference! (Source - Alexas Fotos)

An important note, is that it also works in reverse. This means that all of your tiny bad habits ADD UP. Should you go with water or soda? Well, today it won’t make much of a difference. But the continued choice of water over soda (or vice versa) will have a BIG impact. 

I think back to the saying that “we are what we repeatedly do.” To make something a habit, it is estimated that we need to repeat it for 3-4 weeks. So, we have to really push ourselves for a month to make those tiny good choices, but eventually it will become NATURAL! 

Just this last semester, I decided that I wanted to make the process of making my bed a habit and not a chore. So every morning I would automatically make my bed (as opposed to doing it later in the day). Now, I don’t think twice about arranging my nine (yes, nine) pillows in their perfect arrangement. In fact, if I don’t get to make my bed, I feel a bit off for that day. 

I think back to the story I wrote on Rama and Ravana’s battle, and it relates to this. Going through the process, giving it the time and attention it needs, and now expecting immediate results – this is what allowed Rama to win the battle. 

Storytelling for Week 3: Slow and Steady

"Ravana is in a rage; let him perform all the antics he desires and exhaust himself. until then be clam; we don't have to hurry forward." - Rama and Ravana in Battle, "Ramayana" (pg 140)

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Slow and Steady Wins the Battle

Ravana called out to the monkey army, “no one can beat me, for I have the mighty strength given to me from the gods.” Any who had ever defied Ravana had been quickly conquered, and he had become arrogant with each win. Of course the gods regretted gifting him these powers, but they too were weak agaisnt his powers. He continued, “go ahead and try to take me down, it will only prove further that I am invincible.” 

Rama replied to this challenge “I am confident that I can beat you, but I urge you to change your mind.” Ravana sent a shower of arrows onto Rama, to show his disdain for any such quitting.

Calmly, Rama spoke to his chariot driver, “do not let him get to you. We will go slow and have patience, while his rage exhausts him.” For Rama knew that anger and rage can only last so long in battle, eventually all will tire from such antics.

Ravana was amused by his opponent’s seemingly lackluster fighting, and so he decided to go head on with Rama’s chariot. He string his bow and sent a shower of arrows at Rama. Even though it was tough work, Ravana sent thousands and thousands of arrows down on Rama.

Keeping his cool, Rama simply dodged Ravana’s arrows and shot them down with his own bow. He noticed how weary Ravana was becoming with all of these attacks, and Rama could feel the time to attack was nearing. Rama answered his opponent’s war cries by asking “is this all you can do? When will the real fighting begin?”

Angered, Ravana decided to bring out his most powerful weapon: asthras. The “Danda” was capable of pursuing and pulverizing its target. The “Maya” created illusions and confused the enemy. These weapons were a challenge, but nothing that Rama couldn’t handle. He counter-attacked with his own “Gnana”, which gives wisdom and perception to its user.

Ravana continued to send out his powerful weapons, but over time his energy was exhausted – just as Rama had predicted. In a final effort to win the battle, Ravana began flinging rocks and iron at Rama. This only caused him to tire more quickly.

Rama pondered for a moment on what his enemy’s biggest weakness was, and decided it was lack of heart. He was so quick to rely on his strength that Ravana had forgotten to protect his heart. Rama sent his final asthra, the powerful “Brahmasthra”, right to the weak and exhausted heart of Ravana.

While all around him cheered on, Rama simply stated “slow and steady wins the battle, never rush that which should be approached with clear headedness and patience.”

Don't rush that which is best done over time. (Screenshot from this turtle video) 

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Author's Note:

I chose to combine two stories into one - the battle between Rama and Ravana and the classic children's story of the Tortoise and the Hare. This is from the storytelling style "mash-up", where you combine two stories. I took the base of the tortoise and hare story, and put a Ramayana twist on it. The excerpt at the beginning of the post was the inspiration from the Ramayana to combine the two stories.

Bibliography:

"The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic" by Narayan (1972). 

Source: Narayan's Ramayana.

"The Toroise and the Hare" by Aesop (1919).
Source: The Tortoise and the Hare