Words that caught me: B is for Better
This is an important question
to pose to ourselves,
Especially now, when we are
about to close and start a new year.
Are you getting older, or
getting better?
It’s a question we can all
answer quickly and easily.
And I bet we’ll all answer ‘both’...
But the more difficult issue is whether our answer is honest.
An honest answer must begin
by taking a second look at our concept of time…
How have we defined it for
ourselves? What does it mean to us?
Does passage of time mean
old, tired and worn out?
Or does it connote
experience, wisdom and effectiveness?
Are we maturing, developing
and getting better, or merely aging?
Dean Spitz cites the
following 6 concepts as being core to personal maturity:
- Psychological well-being – being at peace with who we are and with others.
- Personal efficacy – our capacity to make a difference in life.
- Integrity and balance – our capacity to balance various parts of our personality and maintain their integrity.
- Socialization – our influence and impact in human relationships.
- Leadership – our ability to take and accept responsibility, and act responsibly.
- Learning – being adaptable and open to new ideas.
Let’s do a small quiz: honestly
answer the following questions:
On psychological well-being:
Cite 3 habits you religiously
follow for taking care of each of the following areas: your body, mind and spirit.
On personal efficacy:
Reflect on your approach to
confronting reality…how many times have you taken the easy (expedient) way out of
a problem, this year?
How many things are you
doing, not because you want to do them, but merely to conform?
What risks have you taken in
your life this year?
On integrity and balance:
State one bad habit that you
have eradicated this year?
State one area of your
personality that you have improved this year?
On socialization:
Name 10 of the most important
people to you right now. List one way you have nurtured and improved your
relationship with each of them this year.
On leadership:
How many times can your
colleagues, friends, neighbors etc, confidently cite or say that you took
responsibility and acted responsibly this year?
How many examples can you
cite to yourself of situations you have taken initiative and acted
independently this year?
On learning:
What are your 5 biggest
mistakes this year? What lessons have you drawn from them?
What examples can you cite
that demonstrate you are open to new ideas and adaptable to change?
How many times have you found
yourself questioning your own beliefs this year? Cite one thing that completely
altered the way you view the world?
What is your biggest wisdom
take-away this year? Whom have you shared this with?
State one important skill you
have learnt this year?
What is your honest score?
Are you getting better, or just growing old?
Psst:
We believe that one way to ensure you are getting better each year is to cultivate a spirit of adventure and wonder. This has the ability to nourish each of the 6 maturity concepts. That's why we have dedicated our blog to travel and wellness. If this has touched you, consider subscribing. We post once every week. No spam. Just inspirational thoughts to help you on your journey.
Psst:
We believe that one way to ensure you are getting better each year is to cultivate a spirit of adventure and wonder. This has the ability to nourish each of the 6 maturity concepts. That's why we have dedicated our blog to travel and wellness. If this has touched you, consider subscribing. We post once every week. No spam. Just inspirational thoughts to help you on your journey.
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