Spiritual Wellbeing

Activity:
Run faster than time well spent
Sit still as camoflague
Breathe…because they say it helps
This type of doing
while waiting
Try again the way babies try over and over
Now let that go
Be here now
But think back and reflect on how to be better
That’s life
Paradoxes and perfections we will never understand
You know?

Question #1. What global issues and crises (e.g., global warming, mass migration) can challenge an individual’s values and ethics? What forums can an individual use to help better understand how to think, feel, and act?
I think this past year had perhaps one of the biggest global issues that affected everyone, covid-19. In addition to a pandemic there were racial justice awakenings and protests, a prolonged and stressful election, wildfires, and more. When challenges such as these occur it is only natural to question one’s take on where they stand amongst the crises. Does it affect them, and if not, does realization of that privilege or inequity affect or make one question their ethics and how they are contributing to society. The question that has often come up for me, is do I practice what I preach to my students? The most current unit we just finished was learning about our community, and various roles people play in that community. I think it helps to have experiences that are meaningful in our life to help us understand, not just how to think, feel, and act, but also become better teachers. If I don’t take risks, listen with empathy, or help others, how can I expect my students to do so. I also think forums such as my youth group at church,and the task force I am a part of at Fordham have helped motivate me to live with more purpose outside of just the work that pays me.

Question #2. What gives you a sense of meaning and purpose in your life? Share what you can about what keeps you focussed on achieving.

Friends and family, and really any connection with others. Running has also been extremely helpful for me the past few years. It is the perfect combination of meditation and exercise, and mostly a reminder that at the end of doing something hard there is a sense of relief and accomplishment in not giving up. I also started going back to a church that has incredible music and talks about things happening in the world that sometimes I want to tune out.

Question #3. What can challenge your sense of connectedness to others or purposes? How do you protect yourself from doubt?

The perfectionist in me sometimes can feel challenged by comparing myself to others. When someone does something with seemingly great ease and efficiency, I find myself dwelling on how long it takes me to produce something half as good. I try to protect myself from this doubt but recognizing my strengths, even the quiet ones that may go unnoticed. I also meditate every morning as a form of accountability to myself. I remind myself that the things I want to accomplish will only happen if I keep trying, and that comparing myself to someone else’s strengths or timeline will only slow me down.