LYM Week 2 Challenge Journal

Welcome to my Week 2 Journal!

It is here that I have recorded all of my thoughts about active listening day to day, as well as my thoughts on the "supersize" challenge this week. I have also included some recipes, and other things I had going on this week that I felt important to report about.

Tuesday May 8th

I had an early morning workout at the gym today. I've been waking up at 4:40am to get myself to the gym for 5am. I'm tired when I first wake up but once I'm at the gym I'm ready to go surprisingly.  

I didn't have too much interaction in terms of conversation today, because I wasn't feeling well. By the time I left work I had a killer headache. Mike and I discussed our days as usual, and I tried to ask as many questions as possible. We also email throughout the day so sometimes when we get home we have already talked about a lot of the things we need to in terms of daily stuff. Because I wasn't feeling well I didn't talk to anyone else once I was home.

I made kamut pasta and clean spaghetti sauce with zucchini, mushrooms, orange and green peppers, and onion for dinner because Mike was starting summer hockey and likes to have a dinner that is full of energy (aka carbs). The spaghetti sauce was actually store bought, but no preservatives and all natural organic ingredients. It is the first time I have bought a jar of sauce in over 4 months (mind you it's a glass jar and no preservatives)! I just threw whatever veggies I had in the fridge into the sauce and voila, easiest dinner ever!

Supersize-Non violent communication-A Deeper understanding-audio clip
This was a really interesting clip. I liked the example of the person almost getting hit at the crosswalk, and the different ways you can read what people say and their reactions. I'm going to think about that example the next time someone cuts me off, or does something that bothers me.

Wednesday May 9th

I went to the gym this morning.

I applied for the Energy Exchange program at Moksha Brampton today! The exchange program consists of me giving 4 hours a week (same shift each week) of my time in exchange for unlimited yoga. As you know from my previous posts, I have had a hard time affording yoga, so I felt that this was a perfect opportunity for me. We shall see what happens but wish me luck! I also sent in my application to volunteer with Victim Services of Peel! I completed my second practicum at the Victim Assistance Unit with the Calgary Police during my Social Work Diploma studies, and I absolutely loved it. It was both challenging and rewarding, and I really wanted to start volunteering again. I had actually applied to the Victim Services of Peel before Mike and I moved out west, however I then found out we were moving and had to decline the interview, so it's only fitting I apply again. I'm really hoping to be contacted about an interview so fingers crossed!


I made these ricotta and spinach chicken quesadillas for dinner last night, minus the beans. They were yummy!


I noticed while talking to Mike at dinner today that I felt more connected to the conversation. I wasn't browsing on my phone, or distracted by other things, I was just focused on him and what we were talking about. It felt really nice.


Supersize-The Philosophy of Non-Violence, Mahatma Gandhi-video
Check out this video.
I mean come on, it's Gandhi. What is there really to say? Everytime I read or hear something he has said, the lesson is so obvious and logical. I truly agree with his philosophy that only weak people use violence.

Thursday May 10th
I went to the gym this morning.
I noticed today in talking to my Manager that he repeats his stories a lot. I obviously hadn't been actively listening because I never noticed this until this week. Interesting.
I also realized that when Mike and I talk in the evenings, it's generally about all of the things we need to get done over the next few days. We are constantly scheduling, planning for who will be watching the pup, and thinking ahead. We both agreed we need to squeeze in a date this weekend, just the two of us. Since this week's challenge is focused on communication, I also decided that we need to start having conversations that aren't centered around the dog or our busy schedule. I found these lists of conversation starters online, and plan to use them. Maybe we will focus on one question during dinner each night.
20 Conversation starters for couples
More conversation starters for couples

I had guacamole with stoned wheat crackers and a big salad with cherry tomatoes and almonds for dinner today. Yum!

Supersize-Non Violent Communication-Peaceful Communication-Video
I've always been very fascinated with Buddhism. I thought the opening statement was very moving, when he was asked if he is from the North or the South. He said if he is from the North, then he is anti-American, if he is from the South he is anti-Communist. He said "I am from the centre". I may have to try to find this documentary online somewhere!

Friday May 11
I went to the gym this morning before work.
I received an email from Moksha Brampton requesting me to come in for a meeting/interview after they had received my application for the energy exchange program. I couldn't be more excited, and I'm thinking positive that it will all work out.  
I took Mowgli to the dog park close to our house for over an hour, and chatted with some of the other dog owners. It's interesting the little dog community that forms at these parks. You see the same people often, and it's nice to have someone to chat with while we're there.
We met Mike's dad at the big dog park in Mississauga this evening. He loves to come hang out and play with Mowgli, which makes us really happy:)

Supersize-Non Violent Communication and your Workplace
Read this article if you wish.
This was an eye opening article that I think everyone should read! It outlines the 4 areas of NVC as being:
1. observing-recognizing what is actually happening in the moment, rather than voicing your opinion about it
2. feeling-what feelings are arising in you, and what sense do you get about the feelings arising in others
3. needing-what needs you and others may have in the situation
4. requesting-asking to have those needs met

"The four-step NVC process for communication encourages you, just as yoga does, to let go of your emotional reaction to some imagined outcome and simply watch the situation. And if you're really practicing Nonviolent Communication, you learn to be honest with yourself and others about the feelings and needs that a situation evokes."

Saturday May 12

We took the pup for a hike this morning. Mike wasn't feeling well so we didn't talk too much as his throat was sore. After the hike, a friend came over to do some crafts for her wedding, and we also went to try on my bridesmaid dress which had finally come in. It was great to spend time with her and just chat about the upcoming wedding and whatnot. Always nice to have some girl time! I worked on my active listening, and tried to talk less and ask more questions. I noticed some things during our conversation: I don't make as much eye contact as I should, I stopped myself from interrupting a few times to add my input until after she was finished speaking,  and I noticed that even though it may be hard to get a word in sometimes, it's better to listen completely and be patient for my turn. I also noticed that it can be difficult to actively listen AND remember all of the points/thoughts I want to get across. I figure that I will remember the important points, and then rest was probably just filler anyways.

I made some clean eating beef stew and she stayed for dinner which was also nice:)

Mike and I were supposed to have our little date tonight, but because he was sick we opted to just stay home and watch a movie together. We don't get to do this very often because by the time we're both finished everything we need to each night it's pretty much time for bed and we have less than an hour to watch any tv together. We both fell asleep on the couch, but it was still a nice little night!

Sunday May 13

Today was a busy day for us. I woke up to find flowers and a card for Mother's Day! What an awesome surprise, even though I'm not technically a mother. Mike had gotten them for me from Mowgli:) The card had a puppy on the front and inside he (Mowgli) thanked me for all of the walks, hikes, and playing I do with him. How sweet! It is cheesy, but I love Mike for doing that. We then had puppy class, and then went to his parents house to celebrate Mother's Day with his family. It makes me happy that the summer is coming and we will get to spend lots of time with his family at the cottage.

Monday May 14

I had a morning workout at the gym, and then a 45 minute walk/jog with the pup. I always feel great when I get my workout done in the morning, it frees up so much time after work to take my time making dinner and relaxing with Mike and Mowgli.

I had my interview/meeting with Moksha for the energy exchange program today. It went great, and I will be starting my new position on the 28th. It will be the same shift every Monday evening, which will work well in our schedule. This will help me tremendously with the expenses that come with hot yoga, and I'm glad I will have the studio to motivate me to practice more often. During the meeting, I was asked what my expectations were, and it felt great to simply say "I don't have any expectations, other than to do what it is you need me to do". I think I need to bring this into other areas of my life, especially when it comes to relationships and friendships. I shouldn't place my expectations on those around me because I don't know what they may be dealing with, and if my expectations aren't met then I become upset or feel let down. It will be better for me to just go with the flow and let others offer up what they wish. This is especially true for friendships. I feel that because I place so much energy or time into a friendship that I should get that back in return, however it is rare that I do. But that may not be because that person doesn't care about me, but maybe just that they are extremely busy in life. I think communication and active listening come into play here. If I feel that someone isn't putting enough effort into our relationship/friendship, I need to just tell them, or I will continue to feel disappointed when really it's not warranted.

Mike took Mowgli for a hike while I was at my meeting, so we didn't do a sit down dinner together like we usually do, and therefore we didn't have much time to talk. We have been using some of the conversation starter questions at dinner though which has been fun. I've learned that we would love to go to Australia, that he wants to go skydiving (eeek), we want to drive to Eastern Canada because it's the only part of the country we haven't been to yet, and we both would love to visit California. A lot of our talks are centered around travel as you can tell, but it's good to just be talking about our dreams and "bucket lists".

Week three is all about going green...excited!