Hope

This week was a wonderful week in my new occupation as I was able to feel truly mindful and enter a new state of relaxation that I really had yet to experience in this class. I was so relaxed that at the end of each class when we lay in the silks, I almost fell asleep. Plus the instructor and another gal gave each person a Thai massage (where they lay under the silk as you lay inside the silk and they massage your back with their feet). Sounds a bit weird, but it’s the best way to end the class! It only happens occasionally, but when it does it’s my favorite!

There are a few points made by Spencer, Davidson, & White that I feel are applicable to my new occupation. The first one regards the cognitive aspect of hope, more specifically the imagined possibilities that lead to the establishment of goals. Before starting this new occupation, I imagined what it would be like. After my first class, when that imagination became a reality, I then was able to establish more goals. The second point that was made that I feel is most applicable is the spiritual aspect of hope. As a form of relaxation and inner reflection I feel that this class has provided me with even more opportunity to find spirituality and through spiritual aspects of hope, both meaning and purpose in my life. According to Hasselkus (2011), occupations bring about connections with the self, others, the environment, and a sense of a higher being. I think this aligns well with what Spencer, Davidson, & White (1997) defined spirituality as, which is a force permeating all of life that gives meaning through a sense of connectedness with something larger than one-self, such as nature, other persons, or an ultimate other. Through my new occupation I can honestly say that it brings me closer to this sense of connectedness.

If I were to characterize my experience with my new occupation as a movie I would say that it’s definitely a “chick flick” of sorts. And not like a sentimental chick flick but like a bridesmaids type chick flick that's funny with maybe some vulgar humor mixed in. We have a lot of fun and often joke around throughout the session. The class typically consists of 8-10 women and about 4-5 of us are “regulars,” so we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well and it’s definitely a comfortable and open atmosphere. My instructor is very energetic and likes to have a fun time, so I would have to say that’s probably the most relatable movie genre to my new occupation!