Reflection on Personal Development and Self-Awareness

Reflection on Personal Development and Self-AwargonnessThe Voyage inst entirelyationThe title of this essay is The Voyage . Its a pondering essay, and I am using the Gibbs Reflective Cycle (Gibbs, 1988) as a template for this consumption. Its a critical reflection on the importance of in the flesh(predicate) training and ego- alertness, which atomic number 18 necessary if unrivaled is successful in becoming, and quelling a councillor. In simple terms its a examination of nonp areils outlook on life, from their avouch conducts and to how they interact with different lot.By self examination and peer feedback facilities me to run low more aware near myself. Conscious of my libertys, damages, perceptions, totality values, beliefs ,and behaviours. Aware of my strengths, weaknesses and screenland spots. This development of self ken, along with the ability to self reflect on unrivaleds life experiences, is viewed as non only necessary, only professionally ethical, as its convention enables a councillor and clients to remain safe and emotionally set-apart from future relationships they are trying to develop. Because its so elementary for a counsel to fall into the trap of forming a smell of individualism or empathy sequence counselling clients. barely its vital for both, especially the councillor, that they remain emotionally stray at all times.Being objective is the main tall(prenominal)y when assessing our personal development and self awareness. How we see and think of ourselves can be kinda incompatible from what new(prenominal) mass see us. Only by smashed personal inventories and feedback from others can we find a yardstick which with we can bar our ethics, and our professional standards which are vital in providing a safe purlieu when forming a relationship with our clients.Its only by this just abouttimes disturbful transit of becoming more self aware can we then embarque on our lifelong personal development, and be be tter equipped in dealings with the challenges presented by possible conflicts, and enable us to be more attuned and slight vulnerable with our relationships with future clients.The VoyageAccording to Plato the famous philosopher Socrates once verbalise The greatest good of a man is daily to converse about virtue, and all that concerning which you hear me examining myself and others, andthatthe life which is unexamined is not worth living (Plato,Apology).This course, which is a diploma in the psychology of counselling, has contained within it a module on personal development and self awareness. This module challenges us to examine our marrow values, beliefs and prejudices and behaviours.. One of the requirements to becoming a good councillor is to know which bureau your moral compass points, and to be aware of e real prejudices, privileges and blind spots, and to remain emotionally uninvolved. To carry out this one has to embarque on a invigorated move around of chargeless s elf analysis.We were advised to keep a journal, in which we could disgrace regularts on one side and our feelings of these events on the other side. This has supplyd me with very worthful insights into my personality while compiling this essay.Also this paper is a reflective essay, and so we must immerse ourselves in self reflection. The goal of this exercise is to make us more self aware. Aware of our personality traits and prejudices, our core values, habits, emotions, and the psychological forces that dictate our behaviour. This comprises of all events, good and bad, acquired through and through with(predicate)out our entire biography that shapes who we are as a person today, and what we have to offer any potential client.While our tutor explained the module in greater detail, monition us that it could be a emotional rollercoaster for some(prenominal) of us, I could sense the nervous atmosphere throughout the classroom. by and by all its not easy dissecting ones entire lifetime, reliving all the events, goodand bad, unbeliefing ones reactions, the lessons learned or forgotten, and more or less importantly how these events shaped our personalities, attitudes, and our behaviour.I could see the importance in such(prenominal) an exercise. To beget a good councillor requires change, and the driveing signal quantity in making a change of any kind is to beawarethat a change is wanted or needed. This can only be achieved by getting to know oneself by immersing themselves in various scenarios, reflecting on chivalric events, and questioning their reactions and what thoughts were felt at the time. This is the path to self awareness, and its only by self awareness one gets to know what are the strengths and weaknesses they poses that can achieve better passs in their role as a councillor, and with their clients.Unlike umteen of my classmates I thought I had an reward. The advantage in question is Im an soaker and a drug addict, thankfully in rec overy, five geezerhood blank and sober. Ive been to rehab, several times. The most popular method of treatment used is called the manganese specimen (Hazelden 1949) , this has certain into the more widely kn have twelve standard program. Today there are many similar twelve yard programs. But there is one important stair common to all groups, that is step four, which reads Made a searching and fearless moral scrutinize of ourselves (The macro Book April 10, 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc ). My feelings was that in my case it was already done and dusted. In overcoming my addiction I had to dig deep very deep. From my earliest electric razorhood memories up to the present day. I didnt find it easy, but it changed the person I thought I was completely, and was a vital instrument to my recovery.The life of a councillor will always be a work in progress, there is no such thing as perfection, but one should always be as self aware as possible, and continue comple tely and honestly with their personal development. This embarrasss sourcing important feedback from superiors and colleagues, which proves valuable information as to how others view you.Like our tutor explained, the path to personal development and self awareness can be very difficult and emotional. The pain of dredging up memories long buried can be to some too much to endure. But the simple fact is just this, the pain one experiences while undertaking this difficult task, comes in not the journey, it comes by not having the courage to embarque on such a journey. Fear that one has to challenge and change some thought growthes and behaviours that they have used and relied upon for some time. Often through various defence mechanisms that they may not be even conscious of. The journey of self discovery can be a difficult one, but I was first in decipher to buy a ticket, confident I had already been there, and if there were some omissions, I was eager to discover them. I viewed my l ife story as an open book, and was comfortable in disclosing any of my many shortcomings, to anyone at anytime. merely I soon lookd it was far from done and dusted. To maintain temperance we have to always seek self awareness, and continue our personal development. In doing so we have to be completely honest and humble. Completing step four of a twelve step program is like look at your reflection in a mirror. You only see your shortcomings through your own eyes. The fact that others may see you differently felt meagerly uncomfortable, due to the possibility that I may be someone different to whom I thought I was.Over the next both months we sometimes engaged in groups to discuss and debate various topics. One of those being, what are the sets of modern ordering, and how mint living in congested intragroup cities, with no community can lead to future mental health problems. I once thought of such people as scum. vile of any free handouts. It would be true that I viewed the se people as narcissistic parasites. Freeloaders who only existed by terrifying innocent and vulnerable people, and who should be locked up to protect decent honest people.However I began to realise that these same people were victims of a partnership that judged and condemned them, a society of which I was a part of. I realised that these people didnt have a choice as to which culture and society they were born into. A society which denied them equal admittance to education, sports and pastimes, marginalising them to such an extent that the easiest path to fill the vanity they felt was through violence, crime, addiction, and most unfortunately suicide.I learned through enrolling in this course that it was they who were the victims. I grew convinced that the culture and society they lived in, was one we created for them. I soon formed the opinion that the root of these problems was a result of short(p) parenting. By poor parenting I mean sifted parenting. tensity caused by eco nomic poverty, violence, unemployment, dysfunctional societies, a bandoned mystifys, poor housing, no access to education, crime, addiction etc. I argued that the problem started from blood, and possibility pre-birth as stress hormones in the mother has been proved as having a negative effect on the unborn foetus. (Verny & Kelly 1981). I was, and still felt that these problems were caused by poor or no attachment to any care giver because zero cared. I also stated Bowleys opinion which was the infant and young child should experience a warm, intimate, and continuous relationship with his mother (or permanent mother substitute) in which both find satisfaction and enjoyment, and that not to do so may have significant and irreversible mental health consequences ( Bowlby, 1951). I also argued that in my opinion it was a Self fulfilling Prophesy that a Mother, who herself never had any attachment or continuous relationship with her own Mother, while also experiencing possible mental h ealth problems, would give birth to a child whose template of care will be superposable to her own, thereby ensuring that the chain of dysfunction remains intact.Another example was connect to colour, race, and privilege. We were shown a painting directed by Lee Mun Wha called (The color of fear 1994). This entailed of a group comprising of Eight men, two African American, two Latinos, two Asian American and two Caucasians. The discussion was about race, especially the racial experiences as seen through each others eyes. in America. The exchanges were often dramatic, and sought to clarify the pain caused by racial discrimination in North America.In this movie the people of colour expressed their racial experiences and problems in American society compared to the two Caucasians in the group. As the discussion developed one of the African Americans became sooner animated if not abusive towards one of the Caucasians in the group. The reaction of the Caucasian was one of surprise. He stated that he often employ these people of colour, and that some of them were his closest friends. He was obviously surprised at being portrayed as a racist. The other coloured people also expressed similar views, though in a calmer fashion.My first reading was that the Caucasian in question was being harshly treated. After all it was he who employed and befriended people of colour. As the discussion developed I began to realise some privileges that Caucasians poses and may be unconscious of. The loving structure of American society was built by clean-living Caucasian people of European descent dating back to the colonization of the continent. Any other race such as people of African, Asian, Latino origin arrived later, all through slavery, immigration, or economic need. It was these later arrivals along with native Americans who had to succeed with the status quo, which was created by the Founding Fathers (Brown Jul 1976). by white European decedents. I began to realise that the debate may not about hard racism like the violent protests in the US during the1960s human rights movement, ( new-fashioned World cyclopedia contributors , 05/11/2014) which eventually led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (congresslink.org, 2014).My interpretation is that its more like passive discrimination, and that the real issue may be inequality rather than racism, especially economic inequality. The US is one of most unequal societies in the creation. Its inequality is now at Great slump levels (Saez & Zucman 2014)However theres another term called Colour Blindness ( Doob, 2012). The author describes this process as allowing whites to ignore the disadvantages of coloured or non-white population. Doob also argues that white people may guess they live in a world in which racial discrimination no longer exists, but their behaviour often consists of racialized practices. My final analyses of the movie is simply that the Caucasian in question was Colour B lind but was not conscious of the fact. This I believe is because he never discriminated against such people, while also knowing at the same time such practices are widespread. From the irate African American point of view I believe he was angry that Caucasians had the privilege of deciding to play the Race Card or not, while not having this privilege himself, he may have viewed it as a prejudice not evoked, rather than exercising a privilege to which the Caucasian was unaware of.This movie brought into my consciousness some privileges I was totally unaware of. Examples such as race, religion, education, strong family bonds, access to healthcare etc. are some of the privileges I enjoy that many of the people I referred to at the start of this essay dont have. This leads to the question, am I racist? When referring to members of the travelling community, who are Irelands largest social minority, I, like many others are of the opinion that its the minority of travellers that cause th e most conflicts. In my opinion it is these people who are responsible for the discrimination experient by them.Regarding travellers, I have witnessed both sides of their behaviour and culture. For thirty years I was a rural publican. I served travellers on many occasions, not in large groups, but in small groups of two or three that I knew would cause no problems. But unfortunately rather or later these would arrive in larger groups. These larger groups would include the troublesome minority mentioned above. This would always result in expulsion from the premises. evermore my main complaint would be why dont these people take province for the troublesome minority? Instead of attempting to dissuade these minorities they seemed to close ranks and support them. Because my standard customers, to whom I relied on to make a living, objected to their presence, I felt I had no choice but to impose a blanket ban on all travellers. I dont think Im racist towards these people. My decisio ns were based on pragmatism rather than race.Unfortunately this seems to be the norm throughout todays society, even though some self rightness people object, stating its illegal for this discrimination. But the fact remains that all businesses have the right to refuse service, without having to provide a reason.Since leaving the trade I have come into wrap up with many of these people and they have treated me with the utmost respect. They are quite aware of the predicament I faced, and understood why I had to be pragmatic in choosing my regular and loyal customers over their unwanted presence. I now see in them a strong moral code. They are deeply religious. But unlike many devout, they also have an monotone faith to match. A faith to which I have a compulsory respect. However I still question why they dont call to paper the small minority of trouble makers who tarnish all the decent members of their identity and culture.ConclusionThe two subjects discussed above are just two e xamples of the advantage of applying Personal development. There are many other examples where personal development and self awareness would be beneficial. All types of counselling present new challenges, wither counselling for depression, addiction, anxiety, bereavement, suicide etc. The fact that when we examine these in greater detail it results in a change of our point of view, we locomote more aware of subtleties and inaccurate assumptions. We become aware of different views which people revile. In other words it enables us to be more self aware.Because only counsellors who are aware of their own skills and knowledge can successfully help a client, Personal development and self awareness are vital.Today the benefits of personal development and self awareness have become more widespread in society. Practices such as mindfulness, yoga, meditation and other eastern philosophies are now widespread.More and more people practice some disciplines above. People, especially I, now ques tion the narcissistic nature of Hesperian capitalism. I question is this the path to personal wellbeing and happiness? I, for one think not.I will end this essay with a mention from ex US President Jimmy Carter. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but rather by what one owns.To own ones soul is true freedom. Only self awareness and personal development makes this possible.The EndBibliographyBowlby, J.(1951) Maternal care and mental health, Pg 51 World Health Organization Monograph(Serial No. 2)Brown Richard D. (Jul 1976) The Founding Fathers of 1776 and 1787 A Collective View, pp.465-480. William and Mary Quarterly,3rd Ser., Vol. 33, No. 3 (Jul. 1976).Dirksen Congressional Center. (2014) congresslink.org. Available at http//www.congresslink.org/print_basics_histmats_civilrights64text.htm Accessed on 17/11/2014Doob C.B., (2012) Social inequality and social stratification in US society. Upper Saddle River, N.J. Pearson, 2013. Print.Gibbs, G.(1988)Learning by Doing A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods(London, Further Education Unit)Minnesota Model Hazelden (1949)Available at http//www.hazelden.org/web/public/minnesotamodel.page accessed on 17/11/2014New World Encyclopedia contributors, (2014), African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)Available at http//www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=African-American_Civil_Rights_Movement_(1955-1968)&oldid=985152 Accessed on 17/11/2014Plato,(Apology, section 38)Saez, E & Zucman,G (2014), riches equality in the United States since 1913, University of CaliforniaBerkeley & London School of Economics.The Big Book (April 10, 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc ).The color of fear (1994) directed by Lee Mun Wha.USF Urban Education & Social Justice 1994.Thomas R. Verny T R & Kelly J, 1982, The Secret Life of the Unborn Child, Published July 15th 1982 by Dell.