MODULE 2

Self awareness Self awareness: the mental ability to recognize who and what you are-namely that you are distinctly separate from other people and your environment. “We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."

Techniques of self awareness 5 ways to improve your self awareness 1. Observation: Focus on what's going on around you, as opposed to what's going on inside your own head. Most of us go about our days jumping from one distraction to another and pay little attention to our surrounding environment. Instead of ignoring the background noise let's tune it in and see what it's doing.

Techniques of self awareness 2.  Imagine The Impossible :Take any object having studied and experienced it in full, now imagine the impossible. With your eyes open and looking directly at the glass, visualize it melting into the table.  it levitating and floating an inch up in the air.  level of awareness that causes us to ask the question: "This can't be real - am I dreaming

Techniques of self awareness 3. Observe Your Self :The first two exercises explore our perception of the external environment. Now we'll enhance our self awareness from within. When you are fully relaxed, lying down and with your eyes closed, focus your awareness within and ask yourself: what does it feel like to be me right now?

Techniques of self awareness 4. Visualize a Dream Scene : technique that invokes a stronger sense of self awareness. 5. Practice Self-Awareness in Dreams:

Writing About Your “Self”: Life Mapping Who am I

Objectives of Mapping Visualize the individual life journeys. Power of autobiographical thinking and narration. Promote “self” awareness, identity and creative expression. Inspire to assess ourselves and not wait for others to determine our self-worth or value.

“To thine own self be true.” Shakespeare wrote . . . “To thine own self be true.” In order to be true to yourself, you must think about your entire self, not just the parts that make you look or feel great. If you are truthful when viewing yourself, then you can see similarities between yourself and others.

There are a various ways to identify, define or think of yourself. Four Ways to Define Yourself Externally Internally Subjectively Objectively

How do you define yourself? You can define yourself based on your Externally – Example: Your job or position (writer; full-time student; stay-at-home dad; minister of music at my church) or some tangible valuables in your possession Internal resources – Example: Your personality characteristics (kind, impatient,optimistic)

How can you define yourself? Objectively (factually / without opinion) Subjectively (creatively / uniquely / based on opinion) Do you agree of disagree with this statement? What you see is not always what you get or all that you get. There is often more beneath the surface than there is on the surface.

Autobiographical Writing Is a way to identify yourself in various ways . . . Gives you a chance to be creative. Gives you an opportunity to be self-conscious. Self-Conscious – “intensely aware of oneself” (Merriam Webster) –

Importance of being “Intensely Aware” Self-Conscious – “intensely aware of oneself” (Merriam Webster) Self Conscious does not have to have the negative connotation that that the person is Shy, lacks confidence, or is overly concerned about what other people think. An intense awareness can be a powerful and empowering awareness of one’s self. If someone is intensely aware of himself or herself, then he can analyze his own limits and strengths and not rely on others to judge him or her. A person who knows his or her limits or strengths can learn to trust his or her own judgment and not be afraid to use his own thinking skills in order to make decisions.

Autobiographical Writing is . . . Writing about your self in the (1) past, (2) present or (3) future tense, depending on the purpose of the writing. One key to writing about yourself is to have a destination. Another key to writing about yourself is to know your self.

Before you write . . . Think About Yourself Your “self” . . . What is a “self”? A person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action. "our alienation from our true selves"

Next, Ask Your “self” these Questions: Where do I think I want to travel physically or emotionally -- to the past, future or nowhere? Am I prepared to reveal to others secret passages of my life? Am I prepared to revisit my entire past – the good and bad parts? Am I happy, frustrated or simply stuck in the present? Am I prepared to change my path if I run into an obstacle or think myself into a corner or a circle? Am I interested in exploring new routes in order to find my future? Are there images of my life that immediately or repeatedly come to mind?

How to begin a Self or Autobiographical Writing . . . Life mapping supports autobiographical writing (writing about one’s self). A Life Map is graphic representation or blueprint of your life – past, present and future.

Life Mapping . . . Life mapping supports autobiographical writing (writing about one’s self in order to identify or define one’s entire “self ”).

Framing charter for Self First stage: SELF AWARENESS Self-awareness is the capacity for introspection and the ability to recognize oneself as an individual separate from the environment and other individuals. It is not to be confused with consciousness . Knowledge and awareness of your own personality or character.

SELF AWARENESS

Framing charter for Self SECOND STAGE Self-acceptance is acceptance of self in spite of deficiencies. According to Shepard (1979), self-acceptance is an individual's satisfaction or happiness with himself, and is thought to be necessary for good mental health.

SELF ACCEPTANCE

Framing charter for self 3. THIRD STAGE Self-realization is an expression used in psychology, spirituality, and Eastern religions. It is defined as the "fulfillment by oneself of the possibilities of one's character or personality.

SELF REALIZATION