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Welcome to Step Five! The focus is: Other Factors
The purpose of Step Five is to see:
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what makes you the unique person that you
are in mind, body, and spirit |
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if there are additional concerns that need
to be treated to help you be the best you can be as naturally
as possible |
 The
purpose of this step is to make sure that you do not have major
barriers to you being the best you can be as naturally as possible.
Remember that none of us comes with an Owner's Manual. We learn
about ourselves as we develop. When we seek professional counselling
or participate in personal growth work (e.g., like this Self-Managed
Journey), we explore new areas and begin to understand ourselves
even better. I think of it as having an opportunity to add another
chapter to our Owner's Manual. If you are working with a professional,
this type of information will probably help him or her to understand
you a little better, too!
- In the area of mind, we will be screening for past traumas, depression, and
anxiety.
- In the area of the body, we
will be screening for spinal misalignment.
- In the area of spirit,
we will be exploring whether or not you have a way to connect
with a Higher Power.
- Lastly, there are a few
questions about your areas of interest and career choices to help
us understand more about how you are unique and what gifts you
may have to offer to the world.
- Do the Self-Evaluation.
- Go to the Conclusion
Page.
1. In the area of mind, we will be screening for past traumas, depression, and
anxiety.
MIND: Past Traumas
Do you have any flashbacks to past traumas?
Yes or No?
 If
NO, this may be because you have adjusted to the challenges
you have faced in life. If you have been abused, it may also
mean that your mind is not ready to let you remember these experiences.
You may wish to seek the help of a professional trained in this
area.
 If
YES, you are experiencing flashbacks or intrusive thoughts about
events in the past, you may want to consider finding someone
who can do the Finding Joy - Trauma Treatment Technique™ (FJ-TTT) or EMDR (Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing). They are both powerful, and
very efficient techniques used to treat trauma. This is something
that we can do to reduce the stress in our lives.
Life involves unpleasant experiences and most of the time, we
are able to manage. But sometimes, we are exposed to traumatic
events from which it is difficult to fully recover on our own.
When you have flashbacks to the event, this is a sign that you
may not have worked through some stressful events in your past.
Many people don't realize that it takes a lot of energy for our
mind to try to suppress old traumatic memories. This is energy
that we could be putting into learning to live more fully in the
present moment. A "resolved" memory means that you still
will remember what event took place, but you will not be upset
when you think of it. If you have a lot of unresolved memories
you could have something that is called "Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder" (PTSD). PTSD can cause symptoms of flashbacks and
difficulties in the areas of attention, learning and depression.
This needs to be diagnosed and treated by a trained professional.
I want you to know that help is available for this. If you are
interested in finding out more about these very effective treatment
techniques, I encourage you to look into it and choose something that feels right for you.
If you are a mental health professional who would like to receive
training in either of these techniques, it is available. Check these out, and see what dates, locations and methodology feels right for you.
MIND: Assessing Depression and Anxiety
Are you feeling happy, calm, and centered most of the time? Yes or No?
If
YES, you are feeling happy, calm, and centered, then whatever you are doing must be working.
Good show! Proceed to the next section of
this page.
If
NO, please consider completing a Screening
Checklist for Depression and a Screening Checklist for Anxiety. These checklists will not provide
a diagnosis, but they will give an indication of how you are doing. Tracking your symptoms this way, will also allow you to evaluate any intervention strategies you might chose to do (such as removing allergic foods from your diet or introducing meditation).
Look at your checkmarks on the checklists you have completed.
About the Screening Checklist for Depression, do you have a checkmark in the Pretty
Much to Very Much column in Question #10 - wanting to die or
a total of 4 to 5 checkmarks in Questions #1 to 9? If so, please
contact your family physician immediately, have him/her evaluate
your symptoms and advise you on the best steps to take.
If you have 1 to 4 checkmarks in the Pretty Much and Very Much
columns, it would appear that you are not as happy as you could
be. There are many reasons for feeling this way.
If you are not as happy as you would like to be, but are not
in danger of harming yourself, you may wish to explore avenues
for overcoming your depression on your own. Feeling sad every
now and then is not uncommon, but if it is chronic or long lasting,
it certainly is not a pleasant way to live. It can also be dangerous
if left untreated.
It might be helpful to read my book on Overcoming
Depression. This book contains a chart that outlines a number
of common causes,
symptoms and treatment strategies for depression. Which reason
do you think is the most likely cause of your depressed feelings?
See if you can find a way to get the treatment you need.
About the Screening Checklist for Anxiety, if you have 1 to 4 checkmarks in the Pretty Much or Very Much columns, it would appear you are not as calm and centered as you could be. There are many reasons for feeling this way.
Perhaps doing the Self-Managed Journey will help you in this area. If it doesn't help, you may want to consider some form of medication, a nutraceutical supplement, massage, or other intervention to alleviate these symptoms.
2. In the area of the body, we will be screening for spinal misalignment.
BODY: Spinal Misalignment
It is important to make sure that your spine is in alignment,
so we can ensure that your "head is on straight" and
your brain is getting the nourishment it needs. Have a helper
stand a few feet away while you are following the instructions
below. This person will be helping you assess your posture.
(Note: If you feel dizzy and unstable at any time during this
exercise, stop immediately, open your eyes and contact a N.U.C.C.A.
practitioner in your area as soon as possible for a professional
assessment.)
Instructions for Screening for Spinal
Misalignment:
- Choose a location where you have access to a mirror on a
wall.
- Stick a piece of masking tape on the floor, parallel to the
mirror, about 2 feet from the wall.
- Stand behind the tape, facing the mirror, with your big toes
on the tape and your feet placed in a balanced way (turned in
or out the same amount).
- Look at yourself in the mirror and balance your posture.
- Close your eyes and slowly rotate your head all the way to
the right and then to the left. Keeping your eyes closed, balance
yourself so you feel as though you are looking straight ahead.
Your entire body should feel balanced and equal.
- When you are feeling stable and balanced, carefully (without
moving anything but your eyelids) open your eyes and assess
your posture.
| Are you looking off to one
side? |
Yes or No? |
| Is one shoulder higher? |
Yes or No? |
| Is there a twist between your
shoulders and your hips? |
Yes or No? |
| Do you see obvious postural
imbalance? |
Yes or No? |
If
YES has been answered to any of the questions above, it is highly
likely that your spine is misaligned.
If
NO (everything appears square and balanced), there is a good
likelihood you are in alignment. Go to the next area
to be explored.
There are many different ways to ensure "spinal integrity".
In our family, we have
had success with the N.U.C.C.A. (National
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) procedure. If you
want to see if there is a N.U.C.C.A. Practitioner near you go
to their web site. (There are differences between practitioners
and not everyone on this web site practices this technique purely).
My son, Dr. Jeffrey Scholten is a N.U.C.C.A. Practitioner who
would be happy to guide you in the process of finding a suitable
professional in your area. His web
site explains the N.U.C.C.A. procedure and provides answers
to many common questions in the area of spinal care.
3. In the area of Spirit, we will be exploring whether or not you
have a way to connect with a Higher Power.
SPIRIT: Your Spirituality
 Is
there a spiritual tradition that you follow? Do you believe in
a Higher Power? Were you brought up within a particular faith
tradition? If so, are you actively practicing right now? Do you
have ways to connect with your Higher Power? Yes or No?
Whether or not you have a way to connect with your Higher Power,
you may benefit from some assistance from a trained spiritual
mentor. Ideally, this is a person who has a listening heart, a
gentle and patient spirit, the gift of discernment, a good working
knowledge of the Scriptures of your spiritual tradition, and a
basic understanding of psychology and counselling. S/he practices
times of solitude and silence in prayer, receives regular spiritual
mentoring from another, and is open to the Spirit of God. For
more information about the kinds of programs that are available
in fostering spirituality or for assistance in finding a spiritual
mentor in your area, see Spiritual
Directors International.
If
YES, you do have a way to connect with a Higher Power that is
wonderful, I encourage you to do so on a regular basis. It is
time to go to the next Question #4.
If
NO, you do not have a way to connect with a power beyond yourself,
please consider finding a way to do so that works for you.
Some forms of meditation or centering prayer allow us to be still
enough to begin to connect with a power and source of wisdom greater
than ourselves. It helps us to keep life in perspective, fosters
self-acceptance and forgiveness of self and others. I believe
that these are essential ingredients if we want to feel a sense
of peace and joy in our lives.
Another technique that people from many different spiritual traditions
find helpful is that of meditation. There are many different ways
to meditate. The Light
and Love Meditation can be adapted to your own spiritual tradition.
Another powerful form of meditation is called Vipassanna or Mindfulness
meditation. In order to learn more about this, see Vipassana
Meditation.
Learning how to meditate can help us to quiet our minds. This
allows us to be fully present in the NOW - the present moment,
ideally in a state of thoughtless awareness. We are then better
able to tune into how we feel and learn to observe, accept and
release whatever emotions we are experiencing. Meditation also
provides us with a sense of detachment or a wider perspective
on the daily challenges we are facing. When practicing mindfulness,
we are in a state where we are better able to ask for and receive
the guidance that is available to each of us every moment. Some
call it the Holy Spirit others. To others it is innate, intuitive
wisdom. In my experience, it's there, free for the asking - but
we have to be still and open enough to sense it!
As Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living, says, "there
is far more right with us than wrong with us". Mindfulness
gives us a way to reconnect with that basic rightness, even at
times when "what's wrong" seems to loom very large.
It gives us a wider view, like seeing the expanse of the sky around
the clouds.
Spirituality is an important part of who we are. I encourage
you to find ways to explore and nourish this part of yourself.
4. Lastly, there are a few questions about your areas of interest
and career choices to help us understand more about how you are
unique and what gifts you may have to offer to the world.
PERSONAL INTERESTS AND CAREER: Your
Interests:
What kinds of activities do you find most interesting
to do?
What kinds of activities do you find least interesting
to do?
If you notice that there is a big difference between how you
function when you are interested in something and when you are
not… you may wish to revisit Step One - Attention and complete
the Screening
Checklist for Attentional Concerns to make sure that this
is not an area that needs further exploration.
Remember that you are beautifully and wonderfully made. I believe
that the more you can involve yourself in activities that are
interesting to you and that use your unique talents, the happier
you are likely to be.
Your Career
What are your educational or career plans? Are you doing what
you want to be doing in life? If so, wonderful. If not, why not?
If you wonder what kind of career you are best suited for, see
Do What You Are.com.
The authors of the book Do What You Are use personality preferences
as a major guideline for career choice. When we are doing what
we love or what we are wired to do…we increase the likelihood
of being happy and fulfilled.
If you have Learning Discrepancies
(LD), you need to take them as well as personality factors into
consideration when choosing a career. Most career tests do not
take LD's into account. You know what you do well and where you
have challenges. I urge you to spend your time doing what you
do well, while finding ways to by-pass or accommodate tasks that
are more challenging.
5. Do the Self-Evaluation.
Our Goal in Step Five - Other Factors was to see:
|
|
what makes you the unique person that
you are in mind, body, and spirit |
|
|
if there are additional concerns that
need to be treated to help you be the best you can be as naturally
as possible |
Did you go through each of the areas mentioned, follow the
instructions and think about the questions? Yes or No?
If
YES, good work. You have participated fully.
Did you find areas that needed to be addressed? Were you
able to identify people who could help you? Yes or No?
If YES, good luck.
If
NO, call me and I'll see if I can help you in these areas.
(Let's
Chat!)
If
NO, I encourage you to go through the areas mentioned in this
step - just to be sure that there are no major barriers to you
being the best you can be as naturally as possible.
If you feel that this is too much for you to do on your own,
even with your own helper, you may benefit from further exploration
with assistance from:
6. Go to the Conclusion.
  
Q1: Why are we looking at this area of Other Factors?
A: The
purpose of this page is to help to understand you better as the
unique person you are. We are also trying to identify any other
common barriers to wellness - in mind, body and spirit.
Q2: What can I do if I have problems in these areas?
A:
If you have reported difficulties in any of the areas mentioned
above, I encourage you to explore these concerns with a practitioner
who specializes in the area of concern.
Q3: How can I tell if these strategies are enough to help me achieve
my potential?
A: I
encourage you to try out the strategies that have been suggested
for 3-6 weeks and see what kind of difference it makes. Keep a
journal so that you will remember. You may find that you have
improved significantly. This process may have been all that you
needed for now. If not, you may be able to find more help on your
journey. Consult with a helping professional in your area or Contact
us (Let's
Chat!)
Q4: Don't you think that there could be other factors affecting
my functioning?
A: There
are multiple factors that influence who you are. It is beyond
the scope of the Self-Managed Journey to identify and address
all of these. The purpose of this web site is to take you through
the process I use with my clients and to rule out some common
barriers to your well being in mind, body and spirit.
Q5: What if I need additional
help?
A:
The Empowerment Plus� method covers a lot of areas that relate
to your wellness in terms of mind, body and spirit. Other
approaches can be beneficial as well. If you feel that you have
needs in other areas of health, speak to your family physician,
ask others, and/or pray for direction. In the area of alternative
health, ask others for the names of respected and qualified
healers such as naturopaths or homeopaths.
Contact their staff for consultation on your
health concerns or to obtain the name of a qualified health care
professional in your area.
Remember that once you finish all five steps in the Self-Managed
Journey, you will have a good idea of how to help yourself in
several major areas of life. This could make a big difference
in how well you function. Why not give it a try and see?
Congratulations!
You have now finished all five steps in your Self-Managed Journey.
It's time to proceed to The Conclusion
Page.
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