I truly enjoyed this exercise and the message it portrays. As Dacher (2006) explains, “our capacity for empathic listening, seeing, and caring for the other – open heartedness, sensitivity, generosity, and emotional intimacy can spread to all our relationships”(Dacher, 2006, p.93). Thus, focusing in these factors can certainly make a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us and hopefully create a domino effect that spreads throughout. Furthermore, if we acknowledge others, listen to others, make your presence felt, and feel for others this is not only a gift for them, but also for us (Dacher, 2006, p.93). However, to make it count, this mind-set should not exclude anyone, it should be offered to our partner, friends, strangers, and even our enemies because the development of Universal Loving-Kindness should embrace everything and everyone as the name suggests. Accomplishing this skill is the final leap in interpersonal development (Dacher, 2006, p.93).
Integral Assessment Exercise
This assessment helped me see beyond what I display to the outer world and pay attention to the essential elements I often disregard. By analyzing the aspects that are a source of difficulty in my life and focusing in these areas I was able to seek for answers and give satisfying resolution to negative feelings I’ve been dragging for years. I also acknowledged the areas that are ready for growth and development as well as those that have evolved. Thus, I realized that I’ve come a long way, and although I have to keep working in many aspects for further improvement, I am very proud of my progress so far.
Furthermore, writing down a personal assessment helped me be honest with myself and find different alternatives on how to approach each aspect. Indeed, it was like looking in a mirror and seeing every element from the other side. The exercise also helped be more aware so I can use this skill as an unbiased and ongoing assessment tool to make necessary changes along the way to further develop in the integral process. Indeed, as Dacher (2006) explains, the aim is to become proficient at constantly assessing ones life so we can move forward and grow (Dacher, 2006, p.114).
What did you discover about yourself?
This practice taught me that being kind to others regardless of the situation not only helps me feel better, but it also opens the door to feelings you didn’t know you could experience. I realized that by listening to others and seeing things from a multidimensional perspective can help me understand others better and be able get along with ease.
What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development?
The area I want to focus on is the integral process so I can improve all the aspects that need to be developed and be able to give closure to memories that don’t have a positive inspect in my life. I also want to understand myself better and get to know who I truly am so I can transform in whom I want to be.
What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area?
I think that honesty and an open mind are vital for any practice that aims to foster wellness, and I had to follow a few steps to find activities that could help me on my Journey to Wellness.
First, I took this quiz developed by psychiatrists to assess my personality http://www.personaldna.com/
My results were very similar to the opinion and perception I have of myself and doing some research according to my personality I came across this site http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/knowyourself.html and some of the exercises I use are exercises that help me
- Be aware of my strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes
- Observe and be aware of my moods, reactions and responses to what is happening around you
- Become aware of how these moods and emotions affect your state of mind
- Examine how you interact with others
- Observe how your environment affects you (Essential Life Skills, n.d.)
This site has GREAT tools to promote human flourishing, but my favorite exercise is on how to expand my comfort zone by…
1. Breaking away from my routine and try new things.
2. Staying active!
3. Getting in contact with nature.
4. Going out and JUST having fun!
5. Wind down and relax with my favorite leisure activity.
6. Do volunteer work (Essential Life Skills, n.d.)
Without a doubt, this was one of my favorite activities and I’ll definitely continue to utilize these tools to continue my Journey to Wellness.
Gaby
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA:
Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Essential Life Skills (n.d.) Know Yourself. Retrieved from: http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/knowyourself.html
Hi Gaby! What a great post! I am definately going to the suggested websites and take the assessments - Thank you for sharing. The fact that you did some type of inventory to help identify your true self is a great tool and one that I will try myself. Like you, I am trying to figure out who I am honestly - not who I think I am. This is a very interesting subject and I find it more interesting that once you are aware of these issues it makes it much easier to find the answers! Leslie
ReplyDeleteHi Gaby,
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this link and your thoughts, I will have to try the assessment myself. I have to agree that this is an exercise all of us should undertake and I am greatful that this class has come my way at this time. It is amazing to discover that this class is happening just at the right time in my life and it just comes to show that everything is always happening at the right time because our creator has planned it out so perfectly!