UNIT 10 - Assessment & Reflection

Assessment

       As an individual attempting to better myself, I can admit that I had a lot to work on in each domain, in the beginning of the course. After reviewing unit 3's personal assessment of my psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being, I have come to realize I have actually improved some in certain areas.

Ratings from Unit 3:

Psychological: 7

Physical:8

Spiritual:6

Present Rating:

Psychological: 8

Physical: 8.5

Spiritual: 6

       The spiritual domain's scoring did not change due to me focusing more so on my psychological and physical well-being. I struggle still with this and have to find a way to incorporate something that will work towards a better spiritual path in life. The other two domains have improved. I have increased my mile time, improved my breathing techniques when I exercise, and am usually in  a positive mood most of the time. I also have continued to practice the Loving-Kindness & Subtle Mind exercises. The goals that I have set in unit 3, I can say I have somewhat made progress. I have improved my exercising regiment, I have been eating healthier, I have forgiven and reconciled certain friendships, and have spent more time listening to people and providing a sincere shoulder rather than merely hearing. The only goals I have yet to move towards achieving include volunteering, taking more walks to clear my mind, and yoga. VERY SOON THOUGH! I am a work in progress. 

Reflection

       The Creating Wellness: Psychological and Spiritual Aspect of Healing course was one that helped me to realize aspects in life that I need to work towards. Sometimes, some of the exercises were difficult to connect to but others became very beneficial in giving me that push that I need to continue on to a better me. It is true that no one can make a difference in your life but YOU! This experience can help me improve my ability to assist others by attempting to incorporate the same knowledge and motivation to work towards in terms of regaining the happiness they/the client deserves. Overall, I enjoyed the course and will be able to utilize the practices and skills to help personal healing when working with others. 

UNIT 9 - Final Project

Personal Application of the Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing

I. Introduction:

            It is vital for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically. By doing so will help ensure that their practice is coming from not only acquired knowledge but experience as well. It now becomes a better foundation for help and guidance from both a healee and healer’s perspective. Our personal work becomes a sacred responsibility, a way that we can help others and create a better world (Dacher, 2006). A professional needs to find fulfillment by practicing what they preach and therefore will ultimately have the ability to reach out to others in a way that is most effective. We must change ourselves if we are to change the medicine we are practicing (Dacher, 2006). I think for any individual, our journey never ends. We are constantly exploring and experiencing new realms in life. With that being said, for myself, I would need to specifically develop further into the spiritual and psychological aspect in order to achieve my goals to reach integral health.

II. Assessment

          As an individual attempting to better myself, I can admit that I have a lot to work on in each domain. In the beginning of the course, I had scored myself in the areas of physical, psychological, and spiritual a little low. Since then, I can honestly say I have been working on each but I still have awhile to reach the full potential of integral health. Physically, I would score my wellness an 8.5. Psychologically, I would score my wellness an 8. I have truly been working towards finding a place of peace within myself and with others around me. Spiritually, I would score my wellness a 6. I have found this area personally one that I struggle with the most.

III. Goal Development:

          Every individual should work towards setting goals and developing them in a timely manner. Setting goals serves a person a purpose to fulfill. There are three areas I have considered placing goals for and those sectors include physical, psychological, and spiritual. Physically, I want to be able to run a marathon and better my overall health by the end of summer. Psychologically, I want to work on forgiveness, full self-acceptance, and becoming in tune with my own mind and body. Spiritually, I want to be able to release stress in an appropriate manner and restore my calm.

IV. Practices for Personal Health:

            With every goal follows the actual movement in reaching that goal. What good are words when there are no actions to follow? There are strategies I can implement to foster growth in each of the following domains; Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual. Two examples to foster growth physically include staying fit and eating healthier. I can start by creating a fitness plan to follow. I can even consider taking up a personal trainer at my gym and eliminate all the junk food from my kitchen. Two examples to foster growth psychologically include reconciling with those who I have had issues with and start over by clearing the air. I will also work on taking up yoga and continuing to exercise and do Zumba classes. Exercising in general makes me feel good and helps with my health and clears my mind. Two examples to foster growth spiritually include taking meditation seriously and allowing time to reflect. More specifically, I might just continue to practice the Loving-Kindness and Subtle Mind Exercises. Both have given me the realization of areas I need to work on. This includes working on my love for others and for myself. Not to mention the need to slow down and reflect on my life rather than let it slip on by.

V. Commitment:

           Thus, each day you engage in activities that nourish your body, mind, and spirit. Gradually, you begin to gain new understandings that blossom into important realizations (Dacher, 2006). Regardless of me not fulfilling these specific goals in a timely manner (6 months) or at all, there will still be other experiences and/or goals that I will fulfill in place of the ones I have set. To assess my progress or lack of in the next six months, I can continue to write on my blog, keep a diet journal, and track my workout improvements. I believe for any consistency in maintaining long-term practices includes having that motivation, having a support system, and having specific focuses to work towards.

Reference: Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Basic Health Publications, Inc.