The last chapter in LifeSpan explains that it actually isn't the end of these theories or this journey. It is only the beginning, keep your eyes open, keep recognizing the multiple forces that exist around you and start participating and get involved and make a difference. It's never too late.
According to Piaget's theory, we are in the formal operational stage, we can give our opinions and interest to better our community and our nation through hypothesis. This brings up the change agent, which I had never heard of before. A change agent is someone who helps bring up change to better humans lives or conditions. A change agent has three key aspects. Live firmly in the present, but be aware of future possibilities and needs. Find inspiration in their work, and in turn, motivate others to join the effort. The last aspect I really liked and that is to understand people and acknowledge them as the most important resource. By being a positive person to others you motivate others, my motivating others they in turn make a difference in themselves with then becomes a change. Small changes matter, everyone matters.
When choosing a career in lifespan development, you don't think business is one of them. So when I flipped the page to page 306 and saw Human Resources I was pleasantly surprised. Then I thought yes, I have had a human resource manager at a previous job who was very influential to the people at the company. But what comes to mind immediately is Teachers, Doctors, and Psychiatrists. Each career deals with lifespan development and lifespan development theory can be applied to each career. We as professionals have so much opportunities to make a difference. We have the power to advocate and make change. I am honored to be going into the educator field and feel as if it is just the beginning of my road to helping others and I look forward to it tremendously.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Week 7- Arisa Grevan- Dying and Spirituality
Week 7 we read LifeSmart's Chapter 12, regarding Dying and Spirituality. In this chapter we discussed euthanasia, grief, mourning and most importantly faith and spirituality. Talking about death and discussing it is generally uncomfortable, but when you incorporate spirituality and your personal beliefs, I find that it makes it a little bit easier to discuss.
Frankl's theory of spirituality I liked the best out of the others (Jung & Wilson) I felt I related to it more. And this is why. He broke down the stages into 3 dimensions. The first is the somatic dimension, it motivates you through your basic instincts. The will to live. The second one is psychological dimension, this correlates your personality with your instincts. The third, is noetic dimension, this is where you explore and find the meaningfulness in life. I agree with these stages because the faith and spirituality develops deeper as you age. You believe in your self differently as you become older, you have an instinct to fight and be stronger for your family and you might even be lucky enough to find the true meaning of your life by the end. I liked that he also said we adults are responsible for reinventing ourselves. I love that, because yes we are.
Another topic from this chapter I wanted to discuss was suicide. In my faith, the Orthodox religion, you may not be blessed in a church with proper burial if you choose to take your own life. It is viewed as the most selfish act. Now within the last couple of weeks with two celebrity suicides being made public, designer Kate Spade and foodie, Anthony Bourdain, I believe it has opened up a dialogue between peers, family, coworkers and friends. Well at least I hope it has. The main message was to ask your strong friend how they are doing, not just your visibly weak struggling friend.
Because both of these celebrities seemed fine. Seemed happy and strong enough to continue life.
In the video with Becki Hawkins, she told a story of her brother seeing his friend who had taken his own life, whom her brother had worried didn't go to heaven. And in his near death experience he saw his friend and he saw that his friend was okay, he didn't get banished to purgatory or hell, he was fine. Maybe the friend was just telling him that to make his experience and fear of dying go away. Whatever the case may be, talk to your friends, seek help and there is always more to live for. What are your thoughts on the recent suicides? Would you discuss them in a classroom with students?
Frankl's theory of spirituality I liked the best out of the others (Jung & Wilson) I felt I related to it more. And this is why. He broke down the stages into 3 dimensions. The first is the somatic dimension, it motivates you through your basic instincts. The will to live. The second one is psychological dimension, this correlates your personality with your instincts. The third, is noetic dimension, this is where you explore and find the meaningfulness in life. I agree with these stages because the faith and spirituality develops deeper as you age. You believe in your self differently as you become older, you have an instinct to fight and be stronger for your family and you might even be lucky enough to find the true meaning of your life by the end. I liked that he also said we adults are responsible for reinventing ourselves. I love that, because yes we are.
Another topic from this chapter I wanted to discuss was suicide. In my faith, the Orthodox religion, you may not be blessed in a church with proper burial if you choose to take your own life. It is viewed as the most selfish act. Now within the last couple of weeks with two celebrity suicides being made public, designer Kate Spade and foodie, Anthony Bourdain, I believe it has opened up a dialogue between peers, family, coworkers and friends. Well at least I hope it has. The main message was to ask your strong friend how they are doing, not just your visibly weak struggling friend.
Because both of these celebrities seemed fine. Seemed happy and strong enough to continue life.
In the video with Becki Hawkins, she told a story of her brother seeing his friend who had taken his own life, whom her brother had worried didn't go to heaven. And in his near death experience he saw his friend and he saw that his friend was okay, he didn't get banished to purgatory or hell, he was fine. Maybe the friend was just telling him that to make his experience and fear of dying go away. Whatever the case may be, talk to your friends, seek help and there is always more to live for. What are your thoughts on the recent suicides? Would you discuss them in a classroom with students?
Monday, June 11, 2018
Week 6- Arisa Grevan- Early Adulthood and Middle Adulthood
This weeks blog will be based off of LifeSpan's chapters 9 and 10 regarding Early and Middle Adulthood.
I believe to be still in the Novice Phase, especially because I have reflected at age 30 and decided to make a career change, so I felt I recognized with this stage the most. Levinson's phase descriptions were relatable and well thought out.
Fromm's theory of validation really hit home for me. I feel you go your whole life looking for that feeling. The reciprocal sharing of deep secrets and feelings that allow people to feel loved and accepted. Every aspect of life you have the yearning to feel accepted. Whether it be through adolescence and seeking identity, or finding a career and starting over, or finding your soulmate. Each step of the way validation played a factor in how you felt and possibly why you remember it feeling rewarding. We work hard in our jobs for this validation too. It is critical in middle adulthood, but I feel as if we seek it throughout our whole life.
This also correlates with Erickson's theory of intimacy versus isolation. We start building deeper relationships as we enter this phase of life, and our early adulthood. We fall in love with not only people but in life as well. We seek intimacy from many aspects of life.
Career development and work identity was described perfectly, except not everyone has a mentor or has the right guidance counselor in college to help direct them. I wish I would have explored other options early on and wasn't so focused on just getting done and into the work force. I would advise students now to take their time if they are unsure or passionate of something. There is no rush. Focus on what aspects make you happy, do the internships, get involved and experiment. It is your one time to be extremely selfish with the decisions your are about to make for the rest of your life. What are your thoughts? Does everyone feel that they had been given enough direction?
Middle Adulthood, was described kind of sadly to me. We have to start worrying about illnesses and constantly checking our health. Its like we worked so hard to get here and finally it's time to retire and we find out that we are sick or our spouse is sick. It's sad but I will say my parents are very good about getting their yearly checks, and it is important to take care of yourself now so it will benefit you in your 50-60's.
I believe to be still in the Novice Phase, especially because I have reflected at age 30 and decided to make a career change, so I felt I recognized with this stage the most. Levinson's phase descriptions were relatable and well thought out.
Fromm's theory of validation really hit home for me. I feel you go your whole life looking for that feeling. The reciprocal sharing of deep secrets and feelings that allow people to feel loved and accepted. Every aspect of life you have the yearning to feel accepted. Whether it be through adolescence and seeking identity, or finding a career and starting over, or finding your soulmate. Each step of the way validation played a factor in how you felt and possibly why you remember it feeling rewarding. We work hard in our jobs for this validation too. It is critical in middle adulthood, but I feel as if we seek it throughout our whole life.
This also correlates with Erickson's theory of intimacy versus isolation. We start building deeper relationships as we enter this phase of life, and our early adulthood. We fall in love with not only people but in life as well. We seek intimacy from many aspects of life.
Career development and work identity was described perfectly, except not everyone has a mentor or has the right guidance counselor in college to help direct them. I wish I would have explored other options early on and wasn't so focused on just getting done and into the work force. I would advise students now to take their time if they are unsure or passionate of something. There is no rush. Focus on what aspects make you happy, do the internships, get involved and experiment. It is your one time to be extremely selfish with the decisions your are about to make for the rest of your life. What are your thoughts? Does everyone feel that they had been given enough direction?
Middle Adulthood, was described kind of sadly to me. We have to start worrying about illnesses and constantly checking our health. Its like we worked so hard to get here and finally it's time to retire and we find out that we are sick or our spouse is sick. It's sad but I will say my parents are very good about getting their yearly checks, and it is important to take care of yourself now so it will benefit you in your 50-60's.
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