Spiritual Wellbeing

Question #1. In today’s world, there are a myriad of global issues and crises that can challenge an individual’s values and ethics. The most effective strategy an individual can use to help better understand how to think, feel, and act is to educate oneself by reading diverse news sources and staying actively informed. In times of uncertainty it is easy to become perplexed with panic, but the best antidote is to focus on the things that are within one’s own control.

Question #2. Teaching and influencing the lives of children gives me a sense of meaning and purpose in my life. Likewise, my positive interactions with students keep me focused on achieving. Additionally, I try to stay conscious of my anxiety levels and recognize when it’s necessary to take “brain breaks”. Taking “break breaks” allows me to clear my mind and recharge, which revives my motivation to stay focused on achieving. In order to destress I engage in activities such as meditating, coloring in coloring books, going on walks, doing yoga, etc.

Question #3. On a general basis, the most common thing that challenges my sense of connectedness to others is my lack of time to do things socially. Attending graduate school, while also student teaching, is accompanied by an immense workload and requires an enormous time commitment. This often seems to leave very minimal, if any, time to do things just for fun. However, I have found it helpful to remind myself that my current situation is only temporary and a means to an end; the end being that I achieve my goal of becoming a certified teacher.