Introduction:
Why is it important for health and
wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically?
What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself?
It is important that all
health and wellness providers develop psychologically, spiritually and
physically because we are helping others to develop in these areas and we could
not possible help others if we cannot help ourselves. Dacher points out that we are becoming
“general contractors” (page 120) and we are assuming responsibility of not only
our own paths, but the paths and journeys of others. Integral health requires a helper or a mentor
and in order to be that mentor we have to have our own houses in order. I think
we can further develop over time but we are being held responsible for the
overall health and happiness of other people and must do so with responsibility
and positive loving intent.
There are a few areas of
concern that I have for myself that I will continue to develop. As I have pointed out throughout this course
I have difficulty with creating a subtle mind.
I can certainly tell you how to get to this lovely place but in turn I
have trouble getting there myself. I
need to work on the clutter in my mind.
I also need to work on Universal loving-kindness. Although I am a very loving and giving person
I still have trouble with the art of forgiveness. I still love, but cannot forget. I also need help with the dependent
relationships that Dacher talks about. (pg. 90)
I need to learn to accept the wonders of all relationships but to rid of
the one’s that cause me harm or discontent.
My favorite thing that Dacher says is: “without a genuine inner life,
authentic intimacy with another is not possible. We cannot find outside until we find inside.”
I struggle with this aspect and am concerned that I will falter with someone
else’s life and destiny if I cannot get this together. I need to learn to let go of the negativity
and move into a more positive direction in life.
Assessment: How
have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness, spiritually,
physically, and psychologically?
There was a time, not so
long ago, that I would have stated that overall I was a happy and content
person. Having taken this course and
read material and talked with others about what I have read and learned, I am beginning
to question really how ‘well’ I am.
Dashers’ book has caused me to soul search. I have really been thinking
about my existence, and the meaning of my life.
I have wondered about where I have been and where I am going and am
finding discontent in many areas of my life.
I read and read and find that I am just floating through life, sort of
robotically, without deep substance. In
reading this wonderful book and knowing Dasher’s five guidelines to integral
health I realize et that I am missing some important pieces of the puzzle. Yes,
I am evolving, but am I going at a snail’s pace because I have become
complacent? Am I psychospiritually together?
I thought so, maybe not. Biologically I presume I am a mess. I really do not take care of my physical
health at all, and as a nurse I should certainly know better. After carefully reading Dacher’s guidelines I
have come to Intentional. I am
proactively involved and determine all my own choices and proceed to carrying
them out. Person-centered is taking an
individual approach to exploration. I am
person-centered about everyone else, but I am always last on this list. I need to devise a plan that is truly unique
to me and my own needs. I am dynamically charged and do things in life with
true gusto, but the truth is I do many things with a blindfold wrapped tightly
around my eyes. I seem to just do it!
So to access my overall
wellness, I would say that for my age I am unstoppable. I have a tremendous amount of energy and do
in one day’s time what others would have trouble doing in three, but I ignore
the part of health that should be controlled by meeting with my physician and
having a plan in mind. Spiritually I
feel as though I am intact. I have a
huge faith that keeps me going from day to day.
I know that I am guided by a higher power to be what I am supposed to be
and do what I am supposed to be doing. Physically, ugh, that is another
story. I am about 15 pounds over my
desired weight. I do not eat well as I
am a self-proclaimed vegan and repeat eat.
I do not make healthy choices much of the time. I need to really see a
nutritionist to move forward in the most healthful way that I can.
Psychologically I feel that I am constantly working toward some peace and quiet
and serenity in my life. This area is
never where I would like for it to be. I
crave quiet and contentedness, neither that I receive or enjoy. I simply work
hard at being happy instead of just being
happy.
Goal development:
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical,
Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
In the physical department
I know I need to get up and move my body.
I need to find a way to exercise even if in small amounts per day. Recently I have been walking my grand-dog at
night. We go for a long, long, walk and
I have been picking up the pace each time we go now. I need to make time to just get my body
going.
Psychologically: I need to tend to me. I am a people pleaser and will go out of my
way to help others even if it means I hurt myself. I need to stop this action and make serious
time to tend to my emotional needs. I am
working very diligently at trying to rid of all the negative people and the
drug addiction that I have to deal with. I am a stressful person with little
outlet. I need to also devise a plan to
release some stress in some way. All in
all and for all that I have been through I have found a way to make it, to
master living. Now that I have met Dr.
Dacher I have to revise how I think and make a new way of life.
Spiritually I feel
connected and have great faith. I pray
every day and have a respect for my higher power. I feel content with my spirituality.
Practices for personal health:
What strategies can you implement to foster growth in each of the following
domains; Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual. Provide at least two examples
of exercises or practices in each domain. Explain how you will implement each
example.
Physical: I am committed to walking every day and
trying to incorporate some sort of exercise routine in my life. I decided long ago to take the steps as
opposed to elevators (which I am squeamish about anyway) as a form of bodily
movement. I also am committed to spending more time swimming this summer (I
have a built in pool that I clean and vacuum and never use) I need to watch my
diet and rid of some of the poisonous white sugary products that I so love. I
think it is time to see a nutritionist and stop feeding myself the junk that I
eat.
Psychological:
Years
ago I worked with a wonderful therapist just to get through life with a bigger
smile on my face. She helped me to find
ways to calm myself down and stop and smell the roses. I have been thinking lately that I may return
for a ‘tune up’, just to touch base and get some help with the addicts in my
life. I also have recently begun to
return to NA meetings to help cope with the poor addictive behaviors of those
around me. I am also big into journaling.
I have always kept a journal with my deepest thoughts and fears and
dreams. I re-read the entries every once
in a while to make sure that my train is headed on track in the right
direction. I find this exercise most
helpful and beneficial to my good thinking patterns. I will continue to journal.
Spiritual:
Although
I feel that this area is not a concern for me, I need to find more time to
connect on a deeper level with my higher power.
I even pray in a hurry and find this act counterproductive. Prayer can
come in many forms and I am going to find a new prayer session as opposed to
being half asleep, in my bed, begging for forgiveness and bartering with the
good Lord. I do have a very good friend
that is a catholic priest. We have been
spending time together discussing religious issues and spirituality and he even
helped me with one of our projects as I picked his brain for his input. He has asked me many times to join him for
scripture class and maybe this is something I should consider. I should also find time to reconnect with
nature, as I think that this is a spiritual outlet. I need to pray more, think
less and let go.
Commitment:
How will you assess your progress or lack of progress in the next six months?
What strategies can you use to assist in maintaining your long-term practices
for health and wellness?
I don’t think that this
one can be done alone. I am only fooling
myself to say that I will get a physical exam and work diligently with my
doctor to lower my cholesterol. I have
had a blood work lab slip for months.
Maybe it is time to commit to getting this simple blood work done and
facing the music. I will ask my good friend, Charles, the priest to assist me
in my spiritual journey and allow him to make assessment as we go forward. I will commit to attending Mass more
regularly and stop making excuses about not having the time. It’s time to make time! I will commit to walking and moving my body
and I can assess that outcome by getting on the scale or even testing my blood sugar. I think that it is important to let someone
that you know that is close to you that you are working to make serious steps
in your life. It’s ok to ask for help
and assistance and to have input from others, which is what I will do. I hope
that I can continue to move in a more positive Integral direction in life and
to be happier and healthier and to stop simply going through the motions.
Dacher, E.S. (2006)
Integral Health: The Path to Human
Flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic
Health Publications, Inc.
