[jojo]

I have been on PATHS for just over a week now and I can honestly say I have felt some definite changes in my thoughts and feelings and weirdly enough; my vision!

This morning I woke up and all day I have looked at everything with a heightened sense of colour...everything just seems more vibrant and alive. It is difficult to explain and not something I expected, but wonderful nevertheless. I paint and have been in a funk for the past 3 weeks and was started to get a bit worried, but after today's experience my creative juices are flowing again and I can't wait to start back on my painting, especially with the intensity of colours I have been seeing around me!

I have also experienced a disruption in my sleep patterns. I wake up around my set time, but have found that I have been extremely tired in the evenings causing me to go to bed long before my set time (or even usual time prior to PATHS). I have increased my spirulina and hope this helps with this (am now on 12grams a day). I am still only waking once in the night, which is a big improvement for me and my dreams are incredibly strong and vivid (I have always been a light sleeper and big dreamer, but these dreams are different...almost as if they are have more clarity and vibrancy than before).

I have also noticed that my overall feelings have been a bit up and down since I started. Sometimes I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and then I would go down in to my hole again. I guess the BIG difference it that I don't stay in that hole, it is like a bungee cord where I pop down and then bounce back. I think this is what PATHS was talking about with cognitive dissidence? I have felt more balanced over the past 2 days though.

Small differences in my state of mind are appearing...I don't stay in a negative thought pattern...it now kind of just passes through me. I have also become more giving in practical ways (this was picked up by someone else actually); in the past I would think of doing something (e.g. grabbing the washing from the washing machine and hanging it out) but I wouldn't necessarily do it...well I have been automatically doing these types of things without even thinking about it (hence the other person commenting on it and me not realising!!).

I haven't found my diet or cravings have changed that much. I actually started the 'shead the pounds' one to integrate healthier eating habits. I don't need to lose weight, but I definitely need to improve my eating habits (I don't eat junk; I just have a long-engrained habit of forgetting to eat!).

I also feel more in control of certain situations and my response to them. I don't get caught up in anxiety; once again it kind of passes through me now, rather than sticking around in my chest (this is where I usually feel it).

In regards to work, well this is a funny one. I have noticed a definite increase in my workload (I am self-employed). I don't know if this has to do with PATHS, but it is a strange coincidence.

I am still tentative about PATHS and started on it with a wait and see attitude. So far, so good. I just feel good about everything in general. I wish there was an easier way to quantify what the different PATHS modules do...I am thinking of writing down how I would notice the changes by relating them to the changes that should occur as set out in the module descriptions.

I have loved reading everyone's progress and thoughts and questions on PATHS. Please keep them coming.

Many smiles!