As I write this blog on the last chapter of LifeSmart, it is amazing that I run across a section in chapter 13 regarding having a career that is either financially rewarding or a career that is emotionally rewarding. There are many in this world that are working jobs that is stressful and dissatisfying. We take on jobs because of the money we make or because we have to take care of our families. You hear of many successful people that mention how their parents, grandparents or other caregivers who have sacrificed their dreams for the dreams of their kids. As I seek to become a teacher, coach and an athletic director, I struggle with finishing this program so I can financially take care of my kids. Yet, things are getting tough at work and I'm not sure where I stand at work. My objective is to do what I love and let the compensation take care of itself.
My job as Bank Secrecy Act Officer involves law enforcement and risk management. My job is more indirect when it comes to relationships with others. In banking, there is only one goal which is to financially help customers. While it is good to help others financially, banking does not have a continual development of a person life. Banking has some effect in life development, such as funding for schools, churches and communities. Yet banking isn't for everyone. I'm at a stage in my life that I'm frustrated, but I'm trying to be patient and hang in there until I've obtain this certification to work as a teacher and as a coach. What it comes down to is career satisfaction. Chapter 13 of LifeSmart notes that individual passions and personality traits motivate people toward the careers they ultimately pursue (LifeSmart, 308). Chapter 13 provides a table from 2009 that shows the 10 best jobs in America and 6 of those 10 jobs have indirect relationships in developing others (LifeSmart, 307). We have to find our purpose in life and our careers can directly and indirectly affect others that is in your life.
Again, there are many in the world that are working jobs that is stressful and dissatisfying. We work for our families and our love ones regardless of how unhappy we could be with our jobs. Therefore, it is a balance that I'm wrestling with as I attempt to become a teacher. I look for better gratification with my career and I enjoy gratification when I'm able to provide for my kids. However, I noted in week 1 of my blog that I've been working my behind off and my kids are not well off financially. Although I'm no longer with my kid's mother, we both are struggling financially to take care of our kids. As I close out these blog sessions for this LifeSpan class, I'm very grateful to learn about how our lives are developed mentally, physically and spiritually. This class has help bring better insight as to where I am in my life and I will move forward with the completion of my certification. After that, I'll let God direct my steps.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Week 7 - The Sprit and the Soul
Chapter 12 deals with Death and Spirituality. In life, our spirit carries us from birth to death. Regardless of all the genetic developments within our bodies, our spirit provides purpose and meaning in our lives. In this chapter, it is argued that our spirituality is in relation with religion. In addition, our spirit does not develop with age. Although there is some truth to these two facts, our spirituality is developed by what is learned throughout the course of life. And spirituality will define our soul which will leave a legacy on earth after we're gone.
Religion involves a practice of beliefs based on culture, ethnicity and heritage. Every religion represents several aspects of spirituality and each aspect represents your purpose in life. Psychologist Viktor Frankl provided three stages of spirituality, which are the somatic dimension (physical), the psychological dimension (personality) and the noetic dimension (roots). These stages, as noted in Chapter 12 of LifeSmart, result from the influences that are learned and the ability to reinvent ourselves when change is needed in our lives (LifeSmart, 293). I've always had faults and those faults caught up with me after losing my marriage. However, it was for my own good because I've learned to reinvent myself and understand things more clearly than I have before. One example is that I'm listening more to my children and others. At the same time, I take into account other people's feelings and work towards a solution that can benefit that person along with myself. As a young boy, I was always reserved and calm most of the time. Being calm is an example of having an influence like my mom who knew how to be calm and that influence is developed in my spirituality. Parenting, teaching or mentoring is the greatest religion to have in order to understand your purpose in life.
Again, our spirituality will define our soul which will leave a legacy on earth after we're gone. Something as simple as calmness goes a long way for me because as an African-American male, we are looked at as violent, lazy and undisciplined in today's society. However, what is displayed on TV and the internet cannot be used as a way to judge others. Learn an individual first and you will truly know someone's spirit.
Religion involves a practice of beliefs based on culture, ethnicity and heritage. Every religion represents several aspects of spirituality and each aspect represents your purpose in life. Psychologist Viktor Frankl provided three stages of spirituality, which are the somatic dimension (physical), the psychological dimension (personality) and the noetic dimension (roots). These stages, as noted in Chapter 12 of LifeSmart, result from the influences that are learned and the ability to reinvent ourselves when change is needed in our lives (LifeSmart, 293). I've always had faults and those faults caught up with me after losing my marriage. However, it was for my own good because I've learned to reinvent myself and understand things more clearly than I have before. One example is that I'm listening more to my children and others. At the same time, I take into account other people's feelings and work towards a solution that can benefit that person along with myself. As a young boy, I was always reserved and calm most of the time. Being calm is an example of having an influence like my mom who knew how to be calm and that influence is developed in my spirituality. Parenting, teaching or mentoring is the greatest religion to have in order to understand your purpose in life.
Again, our spirituality will define our soul which will leave a legacy on earth after we're gone. Something as simple as calmness goes a long way for me because as an African-American male, we are looked at as violent, lazy and undisciplined in today's society. However, what is displayed on TV and the internet cannot be used as a way to judge others. Learn an individual first and you will truly know someone's spirit.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Week 6 - Early and Middle Adulthood
In this weeks readings in LifeSmart, chapters 9 and 10 deal with early and middle adulthood. This begins the moment you graduate from high school till the time you hit your 50's. Adulthood is challenging, thought-provoking, wisdom-seeking and crisis managing all rolled into one. There is so much responsibility that adults take on and having the courage and discipline is important to manage through life's obstacles. At the age of 41, two points in chapters 9 and 10 are points I've learned after having the wrong idea about them during my early adulthood years. Those points are intimacy and midcareer challenges.
I got married on December 21, 1993 and I was only a junior in college. I wanted to be married because I didn't want to feel alone. I was definitely in the Erikson theory of isolation versus intimacy. I wanted to be loved but I didn't know how to love. In addition, my views of intimacy was not what I expected. As most young adults, we believe intimacy is sexual intercourse and that is far from the truth. In chapter 9 of LifeSmart, Erikson pointed out that sexual intercourse should not be assumed to be the most important aspect of intimacy between individuals. By intimacy, Erikson means the ability to relate one's deepest hopes and fears to another person and to accept another's need for intimacy in turn (LifeSmart, 219). I can say today that is what happened to my marriage after 18 years. Although I'm separated and soon to be divorced, I understand that true intimacy is what God intends for me to have later in life.
It is amazing that as I got married at a young age, I had to get out into the work force soon after I graduated from college. When I graduated from college in May 1995, I had a job lined up and I needed it because my wife was 3 months pregnant. I got into the financial arena and I have been in it for almost 20 years. Well guess what, I'm studying to become a teacher, coach and athletic director. Career change is coming. I'm in the midcareer challenge. This stage usually happens around 40 because you have a clear understanding as to whether he or she will make it to the top of their field (LifeSmart, 249). That was how I felt at the age of around 35 or 36 because I was in the same position at my company for about 6 to 7 years. I wanted to go back to school and get a degree in education administration. The challenge, however, was money and time. That all changed after the separation and I enrolled back in school for my teaching certification. What has become more challenging is that when it was close to getting started for school, I did get promoted at work. I had to seek God for advice and the call to educate, mentor and lead young people is all I think about to this day. Though God has proven that had made a way for me in the career I've been involved in for so long, He has a bigger purpose for me in the field of education. There is no more midcareer challenges at this point.
Again, adulthood is challenging, thought-provoking, wisdom-seeking and crisis managing all rolled into one. In dealing with the stages of intimacy and midcareer challenges, I have gained more wisdom and understanding of who I really am. Although we hope to understand who we are when we're teenagers, there is a more clearer sense of judgment when you get out on your own and see things more differently instead of the bubble you are in as a teenager.
I got married on December 21, 1993 and I was only a junior in college. I wanted to be married because I didn't want to feel alone. I was definitely in the Erikson theory of isolation versus intimacy. I wanted to be loved but I didn't know how to love. In addition, my views of intimacy was not what I expected. As most young adults, we believe intimacy is sexual intercourse and that is far from the truth. In chapter 9 of LifeSmart, Erikson pointed out that sexual intercourse should not be assumed to be the most important aspect of intimacy between individuals. By intimacy, Erikson means the ability to relate one's deepest hopes and fears to another person and to accept another's need for intimacy in turn (LifeSmart, 219). I can say today that is what happened to my marriage after 18 years. Although I'm separated and soon to be divorced, I understand that true intimacy is what God intends for me to have later in life.
It is amazing that as I got married at a young age, I had to get out into the work force soon after I graduated from college. When I graduated from college in May 1995, I had a job lined up and I needed it because my wife was 3 months pregnant. I got into the financial arena and I have been in it for almost 20 years. Well guess what, I'm studying to become a teacher, coach and athletic director. Career change is coming. I'm in the midcareer challenge. This stage usually happens around 40 because you have a clear understanding as to whether he or she will make it to the top of their field (LifeSmart, 249). That was how I felt at the age of around 35 or 36 because I was in the same position at my company for about 6 to 7 years. I wanted to go back to school and get a degree in education administration. The challenge, however, was money and time. That all changed after the separation and I enrolled back in school for my teaching certification. What has become more challenging is that when it was close to getting started for school, I did get promoted at work. I had to seek God for advice and the call to educate, mentor and lead young people is all I think about to this day. Though God has proven that had made a way for me in the career I've been involved in for so long, He has a bigger purpose for me in the field of education. There is no more midcareer challenges at this point.
Again, adulthood is challenging, thought-provoking, wisdom-seeking and crisis managing all rolled into one. In dealing with the stages of intimacy and midcareer challenges, I have gained more wisdom and understanding of who I really am. Although we hope to understand who we are when we're teenagers, there is a more clearer sense of judgment when you get out on your own and see things more differently instead of the bubble you are in as a teenager.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Week 5 - Identity Crisis
Who am I? I had to learn that from the time I started junior high school all the way until I graduated from high school. Chapter 8 focuses on the Adolescence phase. From the time they graduate from middle school to when they graduate from high school, teenagers truly struggle mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually during the course of their adolescence. And yes, I did say spiritually. Having the proper spirit will help teenagers make the proper choices. Again, I had to ask the question, "Who am I", because we all have ask that about ourselves during this crazy phase we call adolescence.
When I ask the question, "Who am I", the question that is being asked is what is your state of identity? Psychologists Erik Erickson, James Marcia and John Hill have different views regarding adolescence and how identity is developed. Yet, Erikson and Hill's views relate to an adjustment period I've experience during seventh grade. When my family moved us out to Hazel Crest from Chicago, I used to act like other people in school in order to fit in. It took a young girl that wrote in my seventh grade yearbook to tell me that I'm a nice guy but I would be a great guy if I just be myself. That stuck with me and it took football to help shape my identity when I entered eighth grade. Along with good parenting and watching a quality man named Walter Payton rushing the football for the Chicago Bears, I develop an identity of being special based on my interest. Therefore, I had experienced a case of identity crisis.
Erikson noted on page 194 of LifeSmart, that adolescence is a time of intensive exploration and analysis of ways of looking at oneself. Identity foreclosure, one of four identity statues noted by Marcia, played a part with developing my identity through my parents. My parents instilled confidence in me through karate school and I had enough confidence to participate in other interest like football. As stated in previous blogs, role modeling influences a young person's identity and a young person would have a general idea of their identity as they move into adulthood.
Again, teenagers truly struggle mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually during the course of their adolescence. As they get a handle on these states, they will develop their identity. As a former Superman fan, many of the origin stories focuses on how a young Clark Kent struggled with his true
identity. But it took good parents to let Clark know that he had to be patient with adjusting to his powers and they continued to let him know that he is destined for great things. What this says is that good role modeling, especially from parents, develops the identity of young people. In addition, young people would adapt their talents and gifts to do great things each and every day.
When I ask the question, "Who am I", the question that is being asked is what is your state of identity? Psychologists Erik Erickson, James Marcia and John Hill have different views regarding adolescence and how identity is developed. Yet, Erikson and Hill's views relate to an adjustment period I've experience during seventh grade. When my family moved us out to Hazel Crest from Chicago, I used to act like other people in school in order to fit in. It took a young girl that wrote in my seventh grade yearbook to tell me that I'm a nice guy but I would be a great guy if I just be myself. That stuck with me and it took football to help shape my identity when I entered eighth grade. Along with good parenting and watching a quality man named Walter Payton rushing the football for the Chicago Bears, I develop an identity of being special based on my interest. Therefore, I had experienced a case of identity crisis.
Erikson noted on page 194 of LifeSmart, that adolescence is a time of intensive exploration and analysis of ways of looking at oneself. Identity foreclosure, one of four identity statues noted by Marcia, played a part with developing my identity through my parents. My parents instilled confidence in me through karate school and I had enough confidence to participate in other interest like football. As stated in previous blogs, role modeling influences a young person's identity and a young person would have a general idea of their identity as they move into adulthood.
Again, teenagers truly struggle mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually during the course of their adolescence. As they get a handle on these states, they will develop their identity. As a former Superman fan, many of the origin stories focuses on how a young Clark Kent struggled with his true
identity. But it took good parents to let Clark know that he had to be patient with adjusting to his powers and they continued to let him know that he is destined for great things. What this says is that good role modeling, especially from parents, develops the identity of young people. In addition, young people would adapt their talents and gifts to do great things each and every day.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Week 4 - Childhood Siblings and Self Esteem
There are several stages a child goes through during their early development. Chapters 6 and 7 of LifeSmart provides detailed information when someone goes from early childhood to middle school. Stages of physical, language, social, gender, cognitive and moral developments are part of a child's early development. Through it all, two stages that are important in the growth of today's child is the role of the sibling and a child's self-esteem. These two stages are magnified by my two boys, Matthew and Keshawn.
The role of siblings, as described in chapter 6 of LifeSmart, create a unique family environment and play a critical role in socialization. During the early stages of childhood, older siblings take on the role of caregiver and the child learns about the needs of others. My boy's relationship with each other is such a joy to watch. I've never mentioned this to my class, but I've been separated from their mom for over 2 years. I told my oldest boy, Matthew that he has to care for his younger brother, Keshawn, without me being there everyday. To this day, they get along wonderfully. Also, Keshawn wants to play basketball, play video games and become a boy scout like Matthew. This past Saturday, Matthew held Keshawn's legs when he was swinging on the monkey bars at the park. Matthew has become a great role model for Keshawn to emulate and it will help both of their developments as they grow to be fine young men.
Chapter 7 of LifeSmart details how the aspects of self-concept and self-esteem helps the development of a child during their middle years. Psychologist Erik Erikson describes middle childhood in the life stage he called industry versus inferiority. It's a time when children use their tools and skills to acquire a feeling of satisfaction at the completion of satisfactory work. By developing their self-concept, a child will develop their self-esteem. As I mentioned earlier, Matthew is a boy scout and boy scouts has provided him a sense of self-worth for earning his merit badges and scout ranks. In addition, I've been teaching Matthew how to swim and I've put him through basketball workouts. He was afraid to swim last year and, today, he has gotten pretty good. Swimming is a merit badge he needs to obtain in boy scouts and he could well be on his way to getting that badge at boy scout summer camp. He was going through a rough year because he's had to transfer schools three times in the last year. However, with his accomplishments in boy scouts, swimming, school and basketball, Matthew self-esteem has developed considerably.
Again, the role of siblings and the development of self-esteem has been significant for individuals from early childhood to middle school. As I sit hear writing this blog, the news is showing the continuous violence and craziness that is going on in the world. From the shooting at Seattle Pacific University to the stabbing of a young girl in Wisconsin, life development of individuals is not taken seriously in our communities and in our schools. We are on a path of destruction and childhood development is a single important stage in developing a righteous life.
The role of siblings, as described in chapter 6 of LifeSmart, create a unique family environment and play a critical role in socialization. During the early stages of childhood, older siblings take on the role of caregiver and the child learns about the needs of others. My boy's relationship with each other is such a joy to watch. I've never mentioned this to my class, but I've been separated from their mom for over 2 years. I told my oldest boy, Matthew that he has to care for his younger brother, Keshawn, without me being there everyday. To this day, they get along wonderfully. Also, Keshawn wants to play basketball, play video games and become a boy scout like Matthew. This past Saturday, Matthew held Keshawn's legs when he was swinging on the monkey bars at the park. Matthew has become a great role model for Keshawn to emulate and it will help both of their developments as they grow to be fine young men.
Chapter 7 of LifeSmart details how the aspects of self-concept and self-esteem helps the development of a child during their middle years. Psychologist Erik Erikson describes middle childhood in the life stage he called industry versus inferiority. It's a time when children use their tools and skills to acquire a feeling of satisfaction at the completion of satisfactory work. By developing their self-concept, a child will develop their self-esteem. As I mentioned earlier, Matthew is a boy scout and boy scouts has provided him a sense of self-worth for earning his merit badges and scout ranks. In addition, I've been teaching Matthew how to swim and I've put him through basketball workouts. He was afraid to swim last year and, today, he has gotten pretty good. Swimming is a merit badge he needs to obtain in boy scouts and he could well be on his way to getting that badge at boy scout summer camp. He was going through a rough year because he's had to transfer schools three times in the last year. However, with his accomplishments in boy scouts, swimming, school and basketball, Matthew self-esteem has developed considerably.
Again, the role of siblings and the development of self-esteem has been significant for individuals from early childhood to middle school. As I sit hear writing this blog, the news is showing the continuous violence and craziness that is going on in the world. From the shooting at Seattle Pacific University to the stabbing of a young girl in Wisconsin, life development of individuals is not taken seriously in our communities and in our schools. We are on a path of destruction and childhood development is a single important stage in developing a righteous life.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Week 3 - The Start of Life
After reading Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of LifeSmart, it was a walk down high school memory lane. Learning about how infants are conceived and how chromosomes are composed brought back some good old fashion health class 101 stuff. All jokes aside, the more I read the chapters, the more I understood how the infant stage is critical in someone's life development. For the most part, scientific data only provides estimates. Therefore, there is no final conclusion on every aspect on a child's biological development. What can be determined is how an infant's surrounding environment can help develop their mental, social and physical traits.
While there can be challenges involving infants who are born with diseases or defects, it doesn't influence the characteristics of an infant. Chapter 4 elaborates on how a quality environment can result in an infants characteristics. The chapter notes that newborns adapt from birth to 1 month during their "Neonate" period. This period is where newborns develop their senses and reflexes. As a newborn develops their senses, they will adapt to their environment that surrounds them. As a kid, I remember how if feels to be appreciated by my parents when I did something well. At the same time, I remember how I got in trouble for doing something wrong. My classmate John Grayson blogged in his last post about how he has developed a sense of security because his dad was a police officer. A newborn's development will always begin in the environment in which they are being raised in.
As noted in Chapter 5, psychologist Jean Piaget relates how biological, psychological and social factors affect an infant's development in the environment. Those factors begin with the parent themselves and the parent must make adjustments according to what is in the best interest of the infant. As parents, we help develop an infant's development in forming relationships, their emotional makeup, their language, their temperament, their physical attributes, their ability to interact with others and how they perceive things. This day, my dad reminds me of how he gave up drinking when I was born. That attitude was instilled in me because I never cared for drinking. At one point, I was doing it to fit in. But at the start of the year, I looked within myself and I've stop drinking (except for ONLY 2 this past Saturday because it was my birthday and my best friend bought them for me). Again, the environment that an infant develops starts at home.
Again, an infant's surrounding environment can help in developing their mental, social and physical traits. As teachers, our deeper knowledge of our students will begin and end with the parent or caregiver. In addition, we must learn the dynamics of the school that we will teach in because our schools will be a reflection of the neighborhood that surrounds it. This falls back into how an environment influences one's development in life. Yet as teachers, we come from all backgrounds and it is up to us show various aspects of life to our students.
While there can be challenges involving infants who are born with diseases or defects, it doesn't influence the characteristics of an infant. Chapter 4 elaborates on how a quality environment can result in an infants characteristics. The chapter notes that newborns adapt from birth to 1 month during their "Neonate" period. This period is where newborns develop their senses and reflexes. As a newborn develops their senses, they will adapt to their environment that surrounds them. As a kid, I remember how if feels to be appreciated by my parents when I did something well. At the same time, I remember how I got in trouble for doing something wrong. My classmate John Grayson blogged in his last post about how he has developed a sense of security because his dad was a police officer. A newborn's development will always begin in the environment in which they are being raised in.
As noted in Chapter 5, psychologist Jean Piaget relates how biological, psychological and social factors affect an infant's development in the environment. Those factors begin with the parent themselves and the parent must make adjustments according to what is in the best interest of the infant. As parents, we help develop an infant's development in forming relationships, their emotional makeup, their language, their temperament, their physical attributes, their ability to interact with others and how they perceive things. This day, my dad reminds me of how he gave up drinking when I was born. That attitude was instilled in me because I never cared for drinking. At one point, I was doing it to fit in. But at the start of the year, I looked within myself and I've stop drinking (except for ONLY 2 this past Saturday because it was my birthday and my best friend bought them for me). Again, the environment that an infant develops starts at home.
Again, an infant's surrounding environment can help in developing their mental, social and physical traits. As teachers, our deeper knowledge of our students will begin and end with the parent or caregiver. In addition, we must learn the dynamics of the school that we will teach in because our schools will be a reflection of the neighborhood that surrounds it. This falls back into how an environment influences one's development in life. Yet as teachers, we come from all backgrounds and it is up to us show various aspects of life to our students.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Week 2 - Theories of Development. Where do I fall?
In chapter 2 of LifeSmart: Exploring Human Development, some of the most prominent psychologist and psychoanalysis provided several theories involving human development. Although many of these theories never provide a concrete answer to life's development, they can provide observation to how we develop throughout many stages in our lives. As I look at my life, there are two theories I believe that we have experienced during our psychological development. These theories are the psychosocial theory and the hierarchy of needs.
Noted psychologist, Erik Erikson developed the psychosocial theory of development that emphasizes the impact of social experiences on stages of human development (LifeSmart, pg. 32). Erikson provides eight stages of human life from birth to death and each stage relates to my own development in life. For example, my dreams of teaching, coaching and mentoring teenagers is related to stage seven of Erikson's theory known as generativity versus stagnation. Although I have a quality position in banking, I have lost sight of what is more important in life and that is developing others. I've been so driven that I lost sight of teaching my own kids that I've missed opportunities to teach and spend more time with them. What is worse is that I was so concerned with trying to make ends meat is that I didn't make enough ends meat. To date, I'm still living from paycheck to paycheck. It is sad the majority of people that I've worked with or been associated with have fallen into a self-indulgent state of mind. People ages 25-65 get bored with life and they attempt any type of self-gratification to justify their meaning in life. All it leads is to selfishness and a lack of contentment in someone's life. As a man of God and a parent, I'm listening to my kids more and allowing them to see more of me as a person. By allowing them to see more of my fun side of life, they open up about their feelings and thoughts. And as they open up, I can provide knowledge and experience that will help them in their future endeavors. In teaching, I would have the ability to help other students develop in life. Also, by having a love for sports, coaching would provide a platform for instilling in students a "dare to be great" attitude.
In life, there are developmental needs every person must have in reaching their potential in the world. Humanistic psychologist, Abraham Maslow developed the hierarchy of needs model. This model provides five types of needs that each one of us need in order to reach our full potential. I can relate to this hierarchy because each need helps to develop the life God has provided for us. All of us have different needs and Maslow's model explains how these needs will allow us to fulfill our potential. Maslow's hierarchy of needs are physiological (hunger and sleep), safety (security, protection, stability, and freedom from fear and anxiety), love and belonging (need for family and friends), esteem (positive opinion of self and also by others), and self-actualization (doing all that we think we are capable of doing) (LifeSmart, pg. 45). I look at Erikson's theory of generativity versus stagnation and Maslow's self-esteem/self actualization as being similar to one another. We all want a sense of meaning in life, but as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, many self-indulge in their own desires and not the desires of others. Coming out of college, I felt like I could take on the world. I got married early, got my first job and started having kids. I thought I could handle it but over time, it got very tough to and, to date, I'm still working in a field I don't care for. I just looked at the money and the bonuses that I could obtain for my job performances. While I was looking for quick gratification, I never develop my self-actualization needs. My need is to develop young minds. But overall, my journey over the last 20 years will provide experience necessary to teach the life long lessons my children and students will need to create a better world than what we are living in today.
Again, psychosocial theory and the hierarchy of needs are two life developmental stages that can provide observation to how we grow and develop as individuals. In life, we look within ourselves for answers to what we are supposed to be. I believe that those who self-indulge in themselves is based on what the world promotes and it develops a false sense of what we should be. However, the bravest act anyone can take is developing in what you are created to be and not creating a false advertisement of who you are. And by doing that, the world will develop into the true goodness of God's work and not a false advertisement of what the world should be.
Noted psychologist, Erik Erikson developed the psychosocial theory of development that emphasizes the impact of social experiences on stages of human development (LifeSmart, pg. 32). Erikson provides eight stages of human life from birth to death and each stage relates to my own development in life. For example, my dreams of teaching, coaching and mentoring teenagers is related to stage seven of Erikson's theory known as generativity versus stagnation. Although I have a quality position in banking, I have lost sight of what is more important in life and that is developing others. I've been so driven that I lost sight of teaching my own kids that I've missed opportunities to teach and spend more time with them. What is worse is that I was so concerned with trying to make ends meat is that I didn't make enough ends meat. To date, I'm still living from paycheck to paycheck. It is sad the majority of people that I've worked with or been associated with have fallen into a self-indulgent state of mind. People ages 25-65 get bored with life and they attempt any type of self-gratification to justify their meaning in life. All it leads is to selfishness and a lack of contentment in someone's life. As a man of God and a parent, I'm listening to my kids more and allowing them to see more of me as a person. By allowing them to see more of my fun side of life, they open up about their feelings and thoughts. And as they open up, I can provide knowledge and experience that will help them in their future endeavors. In teaching, I would have the ability to help other students develop in life. Also, by having a love for sports, coaching would provide a platform for instilling in students a "dare to be great" attitude.
In life, there are developmental needs every person must have in reaching their potential in the world. Humanistic psychologist, Abraham Maslow developed the hierarchy of needs model. This model provides five types of needs that each one of us need in order to reach our full potential. I can relate to this hierarchy because each need helps to develop the life God has provided for us. All of us have different needs and Maslow's model explains how these needs will allow us to fulfill our potential. Maslow's hierarchy of needs are physiological (hunger and sleep), safety (security, protection, stability, and freedom from fear and anxiety), love and belonging (need for family and friends), esteem (positive opinion of self and also by others), and self-actualization (doing all that we think we are capable of doing) (LifeSmart, pg. 45). I look at Erikson's theory of generativity versus stagnation and Maslow's self-esteem/self actualization as being similar to one another. We all want a sense of meaning in life, but as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, many self-indulge in their own desires and not the desires of others. Coming out of college, I felt like I could take on the world. I got married early, got my first job and started having kids. I thought I could handle it but over time, it got very tough to and, to date, I'm still working in a field I don't care for. I just looked at the money and the bonuses that I could obtain for my job performances. While I was looking for quick gratification, I never develop my self-actualization needs. My need is to develop young minds. But overall, my journey over the last 20 years will provide experience necessary to teach the life long lessons my children and students will need to create a better world than what we are living in today.
Again, psychosocial theory and the hierarchy of needs are two life developmental stages that can provide observation to how we grow and develop as individuals. In life, we look within ourselves for answers to what we are supposed to be. I believe that those who self-indulge in themselves is based on what the world promotes and it develops a false sense of what we should be. However, the bravest act anyone can take is developing in what you are created to be and not creating a false advertisement of who you are. And by doing that, the world will develop into the true goodness of God's work and not a false advertisement of what the world should be.
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