Mental Health Essentials

by John Joseph Rohrer Copyright 2013 John Joseph Rohrer New Standard P bli!ations www"!reatespa!e"!o# $irst Edition

%i!ense Note
&his g ide was written 'or the good o' all( so by all #eans ) !opy and share it 'reely"

&able o' Contents

Introduction *p"2+ ," Personal Exploration *p"3+ -asi! .ri/es *p"0+ Responding to $r stration *p"1+ $or#ati/e Me#ories *p"2+ Role Models *p"3+ &he Present Mo#ent *p"4+ &he 5nwritten $ t re *p"6+ 7oals and Personal S !!ess *p"10+ ,," Addiction Resolution *p"11+ Priorities( 7oals( and the &hreat o' 8ddi!tion *p"12+ Cost 9 -ene'it 8nalyses o' Cr !ial %i'e .e!isions *p"13+ .e!ision:Mind' lness *8wareness o' Choi!e+ *p"10+ .ealing with %i;ely $ t re Sit ations o' &e#ptation *p"11+ E#otional <isdo# ) %earning to $eel <ell *p"12+ 7rowing into a Healthy( E#powered Sense o' Sel' *p"13+ 8ddi!tion in Perspe!ti/e *p"14+ ,,," Healthy Relationships *p"16+ 8 Healthy Spirit *p"20+ $o ndations o' the Heart *p"21+ Essential Ethi!s *p"22+ Maintaining 7ra!e *p"23+ 8sserti/eness *p"20+ -rea;ing &hro gh *p"21+ &he Signi'i!an!e o' E#otion *p"22+ ,=" Leadership *p"23+ &he Story o' Sensible Sa# *p"24+ Child and Parent 8rg e abo t Parenting *p"26+ &he Power &rap *p"30+ %eadership Styles *p"31+ ,dentity Plasti!ity *p"32+ Modi'ying -eha/ior *p"33+ %e/els o' Care *p"30+ Conclusion *p"31+

,ntrod !tion
&his /ol #e o' therape ti! e>er!ises has been written and organi?ed with 'o r goals in #ind@ *1+( to 'a!ilitate better nderstanding o' onesel'A *2+( to enable the reader to e>ting ish or better #anage any addi!ti/e dys' n!tionsA *3+( to rein'or!e perspe!ti/es whi!h #ay pro/e essential 'or a healthy so!ial li'eA and *0+( to ed !ate the reader on essential B alities o' e''e!ti/e leadership" Se!tion Cne o' this wor;boo;( titled DPersonal E>plorationE( ai#s at the heart o' what it is to be niB ely yo " ,ts e>er!ises pro/ide a good 'o ndation 'or ' rther e>a#ination o' yo r dire!tion o' personal growth and thereby s pport the se!tions whi!h 'ollow it" Se!tion &wo is titled D8ddi!tion Resol tionE( as it !ontains perspe!ti/es and B estions whi!h ai# to pro/ide a !ohesi/e set o' tools 'or growth beyond the !y!les whi!h hold s ba!; 'ro# rea!hing o r higher potentials" &hese tools are 'o! sed on rational e#power#ent( rather than the a!;nowledg#ent o' powerlessness whi!h other #ethods #ay pro#ote" Se!tion &hree is 'o! sed on 'ostering so!ial har#ony and is there'ore titled DHealthy RelationshipsE" &he e>er!ises within this se!tion range 'ro# !on'li!t resol tion to an ed !ation o' what healthy relating #ight loo; li;e( while e>a#ining oneFs perspe!ti/e and how it #ay be !hanging 'or the better" $inally( Se!tion $o r is titled D%eadershipE and !on!erns itsel' with the e''e!ti/e g idan!e o' yo who wo ld g ide the ne>t generation in the p rs it o' #eaning' l s !!ess" <hile leadership styles /ary greatly( we e>a#ine the e''e!ts o' ea!h and wor; to nderstand G st what #a;es one style better or worse than the others" &his brie' wor;boo; is a !are' lly designed tool !reated to 'oster better personal insight and s;ills 'or li'e" <hat the reader ta;es 'ro# its g idan!e is the tr e test o' its tility( o' !o rse" ,n this /ein( , ha/e !o#e to the tested !on!l sion o/er the #any instan!es in whi!h , ha/e presented these #aterials in gro p and indi/id al therapy( that this p bli!ationFs potential is signi'i!ant 'or those who are willing to e>a#ine the#sel/es and any n'a#iliar in'or#ation with an open and tho ght' l perspe!ti/e"

," Personal E>ploration

&his se!tion o' the boo; is a !olle!tion o' e>er!ises !reated 'or the p rpose o' personal e>ploration" ,ts intended p rpose is to help so ls to !o#e to better nderstandings o' the#sel/es ) and perhaps o' one another as well ) as they e>a#ine their niB e points o' /iew( enabling !loser( #ore #eaning' l bonds with a deepening sense o' their respe!ti/e perspe!ti/es" Cne # st learn to re!ogni?e oneFs 'eelings and !on!erns 'or any healthy balan!e o' asserti/eness to e#erge( as well as 'or the ability to relate and express s !h e#pathy to the ;indred spirit with who# one is relating" &he health o' oneFs relationships is o' /ital i#portan!e 'or e/ery so!ial !reat re( and so , ha/e wor;ed to ;eep this in #ind as , !o#posed the B estions whi!h !onstit te this se!tion and the perspe!ti/es whi!h de'ine this boo;" Consider the 'ollowing e>er!ises whi!h 'or# this e>ploration@ 1" -asi! .ri/es 2" Responding to $r stration 3" $or#ati/e Me#ories 0" Role Models 1" &he Present Mo#ent 2" &he 5nwritten $ t re 3" 7oals and Personal S !!ess , 'eel !on'ident that this B estionnaire holds the ;ey to personal re/elations o' #any ;inds" ,t is #y hope that( pon e>a#ining yo r point o' /iew( yo will 'ind a deeper sense o' both yo r niB e and shared h #anity" E>a#ining the ' nda#entals o' oneFs so l ) and !o#paring these basi! B alities with those o' others in oneFs li'e ) is well worth the ti#e spent( , ha/e personally 'o nd( ha/ing tested this !o rse with #y peers( and so , rge yo to dis!o/er yo r own answers to these open inB iries into yo r own distin!ti/e aspe!ts o' person" , in/ite yo to bare yo r so l and be!o#e the Dopen boo;E whi!h is in yo r potential to be" $ind a!!eptan!e in yo r heart and in the bonds whi!h yo hold dearA we now begin with a ne!essary introd !tion 'ro# youH
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-asi! .ri/es
My na#e is IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII( and #y hobbies and interests in!l de IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII , thin; that #y best B alities are IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII My hopes 'or the ' t re are IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII , /al e or !are abo t IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII , 'eel that the p rpose o' this li'e is IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII , 'ind #eaning in IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

The Path to Meaning

Cons!ien!e *CneFs !ares 'or those whose #oral worth one per!ei/es+ J P rpose *Cons!ientio s goals whi!h one #ay help to bring abo t+ J Meaning *$ l'ill#ent o' oneFs p rpose( granting pro'o nd pleas re+
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Responding to $r stration
&hreat *$r stration o' Pea!e and Se! rity+ #a;es #e 'eel IIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 8n e>a#ple o' this #ight be IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 8 healthy response to this #ight be IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

.isrespe!t *$r stration o' %o/e and Har#ony+ #a;es #e 'eel IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 8n e>a#ple o' this #ight be IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 8 healthy response to this #ight be IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

&ragedy *$r stration o' Joy and Hope+ #a;es #e 'eel IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 8n e>a#ple o' this #ight be IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 8 healthy response to this #ight be IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

$or#ati/e Me#ories
$or#ati/e #e#ories are re!olle!tions o' e/ents whi!h ha/e had a #aGor i#pa!t on how yo ha/e learned to /iew yo rsel' and yo r world" ,n this e>er!ise( yo are in/ited to !onsider the e''e!t that s !h #e#ories ha/e had on yo r li'e and #ind( 'or better or worse" Cne 'or#ati/e #e#ory whi!h , wo ld li;e to share was when IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII &his e>perien!e has shaped who ,F/e be!o#e in the 'ollowing way*s+@IIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII &he pside*s+ o' this 'or#ati/e e/ent #ight be IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII &he downside*s+ o' this 'or#ati/e e/ent #ight be IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 8nother 'or#ati/e #e#ory whi!h , wo ld li;e to share was when IIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII &his e>perien!e has shaped who ,F/e be!o#e in the 'ollowing way*s+@IIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII &he pside*s+ o' this 'or#ati/e e/ent #ight be IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII &he downside*s+ o' this 'or#ati/e e/ent #ight be IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Role Models
<ho are *or were+ #y role #odelsK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <hat is it that , ad#ire *or sed to ad#ire+ abo t the#K IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <hat *i' anything+ do , disli;e abo t any o' the#K IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII How are we si#ilarK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII How do , 'eel abo t these si#ilaritiesK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII How do , wish to beK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

&he Present Mo#ent

How sa'e and se! re do , 'eel right now *on a s!ale 'ro# 1 to 10+K IIII , thin; that , 'eel this way be!a se IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII How war# and !aring do , 'eel right now *on a s!ale 'ro# 1 to 10+ IIII , thin; that , 'eel this way be!a se IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII How happy and well do , 'eel right now *on a s!ale 'ro# 1 to 10+ IIII , thin; that , 'eel this way be!a se IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

,' yo are in a pleasant state o' #ind( o' !o rse that is good( so long as yo r wellness does not rely on othersF s ''ering" Cn the other hand( i' yo spend yo r ti#e in an unpleasant state o' #ind( !onsider that perhaps this s ''ering #eans that yo deser/e even more to 'ind happiness in li'e ) that yo r s ''ering #a;es yo even more worthy o' pea!e( lo/e( and Goy" Perhaps yo r sel':estee# *sense o' sel':worth+ sho ld re'le!t this ethi!al reality( as perhaps it sho ld re'le!t how !aring yo are as well" Considering all o' this( what is yo r ! rrent le/el o' sel':estee# *1:10+K III E>plain yo r reason*s+ 'or this assess#ent@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

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&he 5nwritten $ t re
8# , on a path o' growth to a healthy state o' #at rityK IIII ,' so( in what waysK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ,' not( in what waysK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII How # !h !ontrol do , 'eel that , ha/e to a''e!t #y li'e *'ro# 1 to 10+K IIII ,n what ways do , ha/e s !h !ontrolK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ,n what ways do , not ha/e s !h !ontrolK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

DNothing end res b t !hange"E :Hera!lit s D,' yo donFt ;now where yo Fre going( yo wind p so#ewhere else"E :Logi -erra

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7oals and Personal S !!ess

<hat are #y goals in li'eK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <hy a# , !o##itted to s !h goalsK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <hi!h o' #y B alities are #ost essential 'or success in these endea/orsK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <hat do , do 'ro# day to day to wor; toward the ' l'ill#ent o' #y goalsK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <hat #ore could , do in this regardK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <hat are so#e o' #y li'e a!!o#plish#entsK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

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,," 8ddi!tion Resol tion

,n the 5nited States 'or # !h o' the last !ent ry( the !on/entional #ethod sed 'or the treat#ent o' addi!tion has been the 12:Step Model( long seen by those in 8#eri!an treat#ent ! lt re as the only option 'or !o#bating nhealthy habits" Howe/er( other te!hniB es ha/e been shown to wor; as well as ) i' not better than ) that #odel o' re!o/ery" ,n this gro p( we will be e#ploying the #ost progressi/e o' these #ethods( whi!h ha/e been organi?ed with the goal o' enabling so ls to re!o/er 'ro# addi!tion and stay #ind' lly e#powered !on!erning the i#portant de!isions o' li'e" $ro# an e>ploration o' oneFs basi! h #an dri/es( to !ost 9 bene'it analysis o' oneFs possibly dys' n!tional beha/iors( to #ind' lness o' oneFs goals and de!isions( there are real, working, effective solutions 'or s( whi!h we will e>plore together( i' yo !hoose to parti!ipate in this progra# 'or a healthy dose o' reading and re'le!tion" Consider the 'ollowing Dtreat#ent o tlineE whi!h has been organi?ed 'or one to 'ollow thro gho t the !o rse o' this #od le o' therapy@ 1" Priorities( 7oals( and the &hreat o' 8ddi!tion 2" Cost 9 -ene'it 8nalysis o' Cr !ial %i'e .e!isions 3" .e!ision:Mind' lness *8wareness o' Choi!e+ 0" .ealing with %i;ely $ t re Sit ations o' &e#ptation 1" E#otional <isdo# ) %earning to $eel <ell 2" 7rowing into a Healthy( E#powered Sense o' Sel' 3" 8ddi!tion in Perspe!ti/e &hro gho t the !o rse o' this gro p( yo #ay be Dwa;ing pE in i#portant ways whi!h !o ld pro/e /ital 'or the lti#ate s !!ess o' yo r li'eFs path" <hat yo !hoose to do with yo r niB e ti#e here on Earth is lti#ately p to yo ( o' !o rse" &his wor;boo; is si#ply a tool designed to help those who are ready to grow past their dys' n!tions( to dis!o/er what they tr ly need in order to 'ind and ;eep a state o' e#otional wellness whi!h is not dependent pon any o' the #any dangero s /i!es whi!h r in so #any li/es aro nd the

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world in this day and age" , in/ite yo to try this #ethod o' personal !hange and witness 'or yo rsel' that yo are tr ly in !harge o' yo r li'e"

Priorities( 7oals( and the &hreat o' 8ddi!tion

Lo r dire!tion in li'e is dependent pon yo r personal priorities and goals" ,n this e>er!ise( yo are in/ited to e>a#ine yo r inner#ost dri/es and aspirations( so that they #ay ser/e to p t yo r habits into perspe!ti/e as !o#p lsions whi!h #ay not a!! rately represent who yo ha/e been( who yo ha/e be!o#e( and who yo are growing to be" Now( #ost ha/e hobbies( whi!h ser/e to pass the ti#e and satis'y s in #eaning' l ways" <hen s !h a!ti/ities be!o#e dys' n!tional 'or s and9or those who# we a''e!t in li'e( howe/er( !hange be!o#es perhaps ne!essary( and we are 'a!ed with an i#portant de!ision ) we !an either re:dire!t o rsel/es to healthier a!ti/ities or persist in what is then !alled Daddi!tion"E &his e>er!ise e>a#ines yo r priorities and goals ) yo r desired li'e dire!tion ) so that yo #ay better ;now yo rsel' and so be!o#e !apable o' !ontrasting yo r !ore sel' with what addi!ti/e #entality #ay DhiGa!;E yo r will with habit al !o#p lsion" ,n the light o' this awareness( yo #ay begin to #ore !learly see the personal ne!essity o' healthy !hange" My 7eneral Priorities@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII My Spe!i'i! 7oals@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII &hreats to My Priorities and 7oals@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Possible Sol tions to &hese Proble#s@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

13

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Cost 9 -ene'it 8nalysis o' Cr !ial %i'e .e!isions

&his !hart is a tool 'or those who wish to re:e>a#ine the !osts and bene'its o' any habit al beha/ior or !hange being !onsidered" Mind' lness o' s !h proFs and !onFs is !r !ially i#portant 'or sensible de!ision:#a;ing and healthy li'e habits to e#erge 'or those plag ed with addi!ti/e !y!les" Costs o' -ene'its o'

Costs o'

-ene'its o'

Costs o'

-ene'its o'

10

.e!ision:Mind' lness *8wareness o' Choi!e+

8!ting on Da to:pilotE !an allow yo to Dget o t o' yo r own wayE when it !o#es to #any healthy beha/iors( #a>i#i?ing yo r ' n!tionality by relying on D# s!le #e#oryE and Dse!ond nat reE to g ide yo tr e" Howe/er( when one 'alls into dys' n!tional !y!les o' !ra/ing and the satis'a!tion o' that per!ei/ed need( it be!o#es ne!essary to #a>i#i?e oneFs awareness o' the #any s#all de!isions whi!h add p to !reate an addi!ti/e beha/ior( thereby interr pting what has be!o#e an a to#ati! sel':sabotage" <hat 'ollows is the story o' #y de/elop#ent o' this parti! lar te!hniB e@
,n #y early twenties( , was a hea/y !igarette s#o;er" ,t got to the point where #y health was rapidly deteriorating( so , began to thin; abo t how to ! rb #y habit" 8'ter # !h str ggle and re'le!tion( , de/eloped a strategy ) whi!h was to be!o#e #ind' l o' ea!h s#all de!ision that , #ade along the way( to ta;e !ontrol o' #y addi!tion" $ro# p lling o t a !igarette and lighter( to p tting the !igarette to #y #o th and stri;ing the lighter( to lighting the !igarette and ta;ing ea!h hit( to p tting the !igarette o t( what , dis!o/ered was that , !o ld ! rb this habit si#ply by G di!io sly sing #y awareness o' ea!h o' #y de!isions along the way and as;ing #ysel' with ea!h DhitE( whether or not , really needed that hit" , B i!;ly noti!ed that , only really !ra/ed the 'irst 'ew hits( a'ter whi!h , was in the ro tine o' habit ally s#o;ing the !igarette down( G st be!a se !igarettes were e>pensi/e( and , didnFt want to waste the#" So , began to p t the# o t early and s#o;e the hal':s#o;ed b tts when , wo ld 'inish o'' a pa!;" ,n G st a 'ew wee;sF ti#e( , had ;i!;ed the habit( and , didnFt s#o;e again 'or se/eral years"

11

-egin to !onsider ea!h de!ision on the path o' yo r addi!ti/e pro!ess( in the light o' the goals whi!h yo #ay ha/e gained or rein'or!ed with the pre/io s pagesF e>er!ises( to be!o#e #ore ' lly aware o' the step:by:step pro!ess by whi!h yo #eet yo r addi!ti/e needs( while be!o#ing #ore #ind' l o' the pre/io sly unseen options with whi!h yo #ight redire!t yo rsel' at any point o' !hoi!e along the way" 5lti#ately( yo #ay wean yo rsel' o'' o' yo r dys' n!tional habits and settle into a healthier a to:pilot whi!h #ore a!! rately re'le!ts yo r desired dire!tion in li'e" &a;ing the reins in order to #a;e this !hange is /ital 'or the s !!ess' l resol tion o' addi!tion" ,t is this a thorFs hope that those who are e>posed to s !h wisdo# are able to re!ogni?e it as s !h and !hoose health"

.ealing with %i;ely $ t re Sit ations o' &e#ptation

<hat #a;es a sit ation ris;y 'or yo r !ontin ed sobriety and there'ore dangero s 'or #ental and9or physi!al healthK More to the point( how did it !o#e to pass that yo settled into the nhealthy r t o' addi!tion in the 'irst pla!eK ,t #ight be wise to re'le!t on how it too; o/er yo r li'e so easily" <ere yo !o#pelled to D'it inE *L9N+K <ere yo interested in the ad/ent re o' it *L9N+K <ere yo si#ply trying to !ope with o/erwhel#ing e#otions( s !h as an>iety or boredo# *L9N+K .id the reason 'or !ontin ing yo r beha/ior !hange as yo be!a#e in!reasingly dependent *L9N+K &hese 'or!es still potentially e>ist within yo r so l( re#aining as triggers 'or relapse" S !h lapses o' good de!ision:#a;ing are said to be Dpar 'or the !o rseE and #ay end p rein'or!ing yo r habitsF healthy !los re as yo se yo r e>perien!e and insight to Dnip it in the b dE #ore !onsistently" = lnerability 'or relapse # st be ta;en into a!!o nt as an obsta!le to be dealt with( o' !o rse" $inding healthy alternati/e sol tions to the proble#s whi!h a!t as yo r triggers is an i#portant e''ort in whi!h to s !!eed" -e!o#ing e#otionally well and so!ially well:s pported !o ld hardly steer yo ba!; into sel':destr !tion( as it satis'ies the /alid nderlying needs" Consider the 'ollowing ad/i!e@
1" 8/oid sit ations whi!h #ay enable and te#pt a relapse" 2" <hen te#pted( stay #ind' l o' yo r desired li'e dire!tion" 3" <hen e#otionally distra ght( pra!ti!e yo r !oping s;ills" 12

8''ir# yo r progress and ha/e 'aith in yo rsel' to be mature eno gh not to !hase a'ter e/ery single li'e pleas re ) sing yo r #ind' lness( 'or e>a#ple( that B i!; highs o'ten pre!ede B i!; lows( th s ' eling the addi!ti/e !y!le" E#ploying yo r growing wisdo# to grad ally #a;e li'e better in #ore s stainable ways( s !h as rein'or!ing the health o' yo r relationships( is a #ore pra!ti!al perspe!ti/e to ;eep and a #ore sensible !o rse to ta;e" Mat re de!isions !o#e 'ro# a #at re #indset( o' !o rse( and so( i' we want better li/es 'or o rsel/es and those who# we a''e!t in li'e( we # st ! lti/ate a deeper nderstanding o' e''e!ti/e ethi!al wisdo# whi!h we learn to a!t pon and li/e with( in o r e/er:!hanging li/es o' personal growth"

E#otional <isdo# ) %earning to $eel <ell

&he 'ollowing re'le!tions on s ''ering and happiness #ay ser/e to ;eep e#otions in perspe!ti/e and enable the readerFs nat ral well:being" <hat are the psides o' s ''eringK %earning E''e!ti/e <ays to Cope %earning to Relate with OthersF S ''ering .e/eloping a .eeper( More Pro'o nd So l .e/eloping a .eeper 8ppre!iation o' <ell:-eing 8!! # lating a -roader Range o' %i'e E>perien!e Earning Higher <orth( Mnown to Sel' *and 7od( i' 7od E>ists+

How #ay , better !ope with stressK E>press Catharsis and $ind Clos re *Co nseling( Jo rnaling+ .eal with yo r Stressor *8sserti/eness( Proble#:Sol/ing+ <hat are the basi! 'or#s o' well:beingK Pea!e ) $ro# 8n 8bsen!e o' $ear %o/e ) $ro# 8n 8bsen!e o' Hate Joy ) $ro# 8n 8bsen!e o' Sadness 8 7ood %a gh ) 8ppre!iation o' 8bs rdity
13

8 7ood Cry ) ,##ersion in the Pro'o nd 8 7ood Ro#an!e ) ,nti#ate or $eral 8 7ood $ight ) Play' l or Serio s 8 7ood R n ) E>er!ise or %i'e:S staining .isinhibition ) $eeling %oose and $ree S !!ess ) Meeting 7oals and Satis'ying Cares 8!!eptan!e ) Seeing that %i'e Happens as ,t M st

How #ay , get and stay happyK %et 7o o' Negati/e $i>ations and %i/e -eyond $i>ation on .esires <ell:-eing E#erges Nat rally 'ro# Cal#( Ne tral States o' -eing

7rowing into a Healthy( E#powered Sense o' Sel'

&hose o' s who /iew o rsel/es as #entally healthy and so!ially asserti/e tend to possess the inner resol/e and easy strength whi!h is ne!essary to #aintain abstinen!e 'ro# addi!tion" How may I grow into such a healthy self-concept, yo #ay as;K &he longer yo #aintain yo r sel':restraint( the easier it be!o#es and the #ore !o#'ortable yo Fll 'eel in yo r Dnew s;inE" &his shi't in identity is si#ply the ne!essary growth o' an e/ol/ing( adapti/e so l whi!h has !o#e to the reali?ation that the dys' n!tional past # st be le't behind i' one is to #o/e 'orward in li'e( e/er !loser to the s !!ess whi!h one /al es abo/e the short:ter# DhighE o' so#e depra/ed( !o#p lsi/e beha/ior" , now in/ite yo to affirm this !hange 'or yo rsel'( so that yo #ay begin to !e#ent the pro!ess o' yo r personal progress toward #ind' l de!ision: #a;ing and an identity whi!h now says DNoE to destr !ti/e beha/ior( 'or the sa;e o' a better ' t re 'or itsel' and those who# that so l a''e!ts in li'e" , s ggest a shi't in #indset toward a higher personal dignity( whi!h will 'or# the 'o ndation o' yo r healthy new beha/iors ) de!isions o' spee!h and a!tion whi!h represent a so l whi!h a!ts not 'ro# a pla!e o' de'i!ien!y( b t 'ro# a state o' relati/e inner pea!e and !on'iden!e in its ability to a!hie/e the goals whi!h it sets o t to a!!o#plish"

14

&his !ore !on'iden!e( Goined with #ore wisely ordered priorities( bears signi'i!an!e not G st 'or the B elling o' addi!tion( b t also in ter#s o' li/ing with a healthy sense o' p rpose and 'or the ' l'ill#ent we 'eel 'ro# s !!ess in the a!t ali?ation o' that li'e:p rpose by #eeting the !hallenges whi!h are en!o ntered all along the way"

8 %oo; at Lo r %i'e .ire!tion

7oals@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Challenges@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Strengths@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

16

8ddi!tion in Perspe!ti/e
%i'e o''ers s #any !hoi!es ) so#e healthy( so#e not" &he a!ti/ities whi!h we engage in enri!h s with li'e e>perien!e and personal #eaning( and it is these rewards whi!h !o#pel s to #a;e habits o' o r beha/iors( 'or better or worse" C r atte#pts to !reate well:being *thro gh o r words and a!tions+ train s to p rs e !ertain hobbies( and , s b#it that is i#portant to re!ogni?e when those hobbies are wor;ing 'or or against o r /al es and goals" ,n this spirit( please !onsider who( , s b#it( al#ost all o' s are ) nat rally so!ial so ls att ned to a har#ony whi!h( 'or #any( no longer e>ists" ,n the absen!e o' s !h healthy relationships( one 'eels a deep sense o' dissatis'a!tion( as this har#ony is essential 'or the #ost so lsF well:being" 8s a res lt( #any be!o#e 'i>ated on addi!ti/e #irages o' happiness *li;e #oney( dr gs( and power+ ) ill sions whi!h so#e ele#ents in so!iety tragi!ally present as !entral to a happy li'e" <hile these 'i>ations #ay grant te#porary satis'a!tion or relie' 'ro# a nagging desire( it is #y e>perien!e that only so!ial har#ony is adeB ate to grant #eaning' l well:being ) a 'inding whi!h , hope is shared by #y a dien!e" ,n the pro!ess o' shedding the dys' n!tional 'i>ations o' addi!tion( one # st re:'o! s oneFs priorities( !on'ronting dys' n!tional rges with #ind' lness o' the tragi! nat re o' nhealthy habits and what nat ral alternati/e is attainable and s stainable 'or o r so ls" Personal Priorities@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Hobbies and Habits@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Cr !ial Changes@ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
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,,," Healthy Relationships

&his se!tion o' perspe!ti/es and B estions was intended as a g ide to help 'a!ilitate better relationships in the readerFs li'e" $ro# !on'li!t resol tion to ideal relating( these e>er!ises ha/e been designed to rein'or!e the essential so!ial B alities o' gra!e and lo/e( so that parti!ipants #ight grow to be better able to #aintain healthy relationships" &he bonds we grow are strengthened by the har#ony whi!h e#erges when we reali?e that o r di''eren!es !an be a good thing ) that they enri!h o r potential and open o r #inds to other ways o' thin;ing and being" So , as; yo @ <hy not li/e with as # !h openness and ! riosity as yo !an ! lti/ate within yo r heart and #indK ,t is the a thorFs hope that this !olle!tion o' insight will go beyond #erely a''ir#ing healthy /al es( to help the reader to hone the essential so!ial s;ills with whi!h one #ay ' n!tion better in li'eFs #any i#portant intera!tions" Consider the 'ollowing list o' e>er!ises !ontained within this se!tion o' the Mental Health Essentials wor;boo;@ 1" 8 Healthy Spirit 2" $o ndations o' the Heart 3" Essential Ethi!s 0" Maintaining 7ra!e 1" 8sserti/eness 2" -rea;ing &hro gh
21

3" &he Signi'i!an!e o' E#otion

22

8 Healthy Spirit
Hope eno gh to drea#H $aith eno gh to !opeH <isdo#( what to say or do whi!h 'osters what is best 'or who# yo lo/eH b ilt on@ insight *;nowledge o' the sel'+( whi!h lets one rightly spea;( asserti/eA e#pathy *to ;now another+( helping one to pea!e' lly relateA and balan!ed ethi! *re!ogni?ing ea!h so lFs worth+( whi!h 'or#s the war# 'o ndation o' estee# ) all 'or o r so!ial har#ony( why we 'eel wellH How does yo r idea o' #ental health !o#pare with thisK

<hat are the highlights o' this poe# 'or yo K E>plain"""

How #ight these ideas be se' l in yo r own li'eK

Has this poe# !hanged yo r perspe!ti/eK ,n what wayK

23

$o ndations o' the Heart

%o/e is the e#otion o' highest regard( shined pon another( war#ing hearts in its ' l'illing energy" $ro# pain !o#pelling sel':endear#ent( to pea!e 'lowing in war# regard( the heart #o/es to lo/e and nderstanding" Mindness is 'elt in the re'le!ted war#th o' oneFs e>pressions o' good will" &he e#bra!e is an e>tension o' regard( and a reass ran!e o' a!!eptan!e" So , say( I accept you, faults and all, as I would wish you would for me, because together we are more than otherwise we d grow to be!

How do yo 'eel abo t these perspe!ti/es on the nat re o' lo/eK

.o yo 'eel better eB ipped to !are 'or those in yo r li'eK

<ere these insights already a part o' yo r int itionK

<hat /iews o' yo rs are related to this e>er!iseK

20

Essential Ethi!s
<e all ha/e basi! 'reedo# o' tho ght( spee!h( and a!tion( tho gh with this 'reedo# !o#e !onseB en!es 'or others as well as those i#posed pon s by the world in whi!h we parti!ipate" "cceptance o' this reality is a basi! a!;nowledge#ent o' responsibility 'or oneFs states o' #ind and the res lting e>pressions o' sel'" Let( are all people this #at reK No( so we ha/e law" #aw is a syste# o' balan!ing what #ay be !alled D$reedo# $ro#E and D$reedo# &o"E D&he 'reedo# to e>tend yo r 'ist(E one #ay say( Dends where #y 'reedo# 'ro# /iolen!e begins"E &his e>presses the basi! so!ial !ontra!t o' M t al Non/iolen!e( whi!h int iti/ely ;eeps the pea!e a#ong we good so ls who are dri/en by a nat ral desire 'or pea!e( lo/e( and har#ony( rather than these statesF opposites ) e>!ite#ent( !onte#pt( and horror ) 'i>ations 'ro# whi!h /iolen!e #ay tragi!ally res lt" So( other than a so lFs healthy dri/e 'or pea!e( lo/e( and har#ony( what reason is there to !are abo t oneFs 'ellow #anK Can one nderstand the ' nda#ental logi! o' #orality at a deeper le/el and #at re a!!ordinglyK Consider the 'ollowing@ Cne is not alone in li'e( b t !o:e>ists with other so ls" &his is ethi!ally signi'i!ant( in that it is not only onesel' who #atters( b t others( as well( whose perspe!ti/es #a;e sense to the#( G st as #ine #a;es sense to #e( !o#pelling o r respe!ti/e a!tions in !o#parable ways( with ni/ersal e#otions( or Da!tion energies(E whi!h one !annot easily a/oid e>perien!ing" .oes #oral !riti!is# tr ly wal; in othersF shoes eno gh to see the ines!apable pro!ess o' oneFs !ons!io sness and 'orgi/e it as s !hK Consider this a seed 'or tr e awareness o' o r !o##on h #anity ) an atte#pt to establish the /alidity o' the notion o' 5ni/ersal <orth( whi!h #ay be seen to in!rease thro gh oneFs !aring and s ''ering( yet( !on/ersely( !annot be e>ting ished" Perhaps Mahat#a 7andhi nderstood this D ni/ersal worthE when he ta ght his 'ollowers to Dhate the sin yet lo/e the sinner"E Cne 'eels the tragedy o' e/il b t ;eeps the lo/e whi!h one #ay learn to see as #orally right( 'ro# a !ertain ethi!al perspe!ti/e" C' !o rse( e/il # st be dealt with( 'or the !los re o' those a''e!ted( as well as 'or the pre/ention o' ' t re !ri#e" <itho t ethi!al !onsideration 'or the pres #ed !ri#inal( howe/er( ' rther tragedy is ena!ted in the 'or# o' the s ''ering o' the wayward so l who# so!iety so pre/alently de#oni?es" Clearly( a balan!e # st be str !; between resol te righteo sness and !aring !o#passion( as well as between the so!ietal e''i!a!y o' law and oneFs ideals o' 'orgi/eness and e#pathy 'or e/en the sel'ish and /iolent" $or those who #ay not be so open:hearted and a!!epting in their /iews o' those whose hearts la!; basi! h #an war#th( , a!;nowledge that s !h /iews are arg ably G st as /alid as those , ad/o!ate earlier in this essay" 8 being in pain( howe/er( is a horror to be !on!erned abo t as an ethi!al being( , 'eel( despite that beingFs sins"

21

Maintaining 7ra!e
Maintaining grace in the 'a!e o' aggression enables a stable and able response" So we under:rea!t( with tolerant ta!t( or assert that weNre hurt and are not witho t worth" &hereNs a better way than the bitter wayA e>pressing concerns witho t getting stern is one way whi!h one #ay har# only that whi!h a''li!ts har#ony( ;eeping eyes on the pri?e ) greater pea!eFs new leases on li'e( waiting there in the !are brea;ing walls down 'or all who are growing the ;nowing we need as the seed 'or s !h nity in o r !o## nityFs stri'e:sol/ing( e/ol/ing li'e" <hat is yo r nderstanding o' this poe#Fs #essageK .o yo agree with the insights displayed in this wor;K <hi!h o' it stand o t as wise or nwise( help' l or notK How #ight this apply to yo r li'eFs so!ial !hallengesK <hat !hange #ight yo bring to yo r ne>t !on'li!tK

22

8sserti/eness
D8sserti/enessE ) Perhaps yo F/e heard the word and so#e so lFs nderstanding o' it( b t do yo ha/e a 'ir#( ' n!tional grasp on this !o## ni!ation styleK $or that #atter( why is this so!ial s;ill so i#portant 'or yo r parti! lar li'eK ,s it really ! re:all 'or yo r relationshipsF proble#sK %et s begin by des!ribing its e>tre#e !o nterparts *passi/eness and aggression+ and wor; on !on/eying the ' n!tionality o' asserti/eness as a 'inal point" Passi/eness is when yo de!line to assert yo r /alid needs( !on!erns( and e#otions whi!h ha/e apparently ste##ed 'ro# anotherFs words or a!tions" ,n de!iding not to D#a;e a ' ss(E yo are perhaps ta;ing the #ost sel'less and !a tio s approa!h( yet letting proble#s 'ester witho t ! rati/e a!tion" 8ggression is when yo let an agitated e#otion and beha/ior get the better o' yo and try to get yo r needs #et by e>pressing h rt' l words and a!tions in response to what( 'or yo ( is anotherFs proble#ati! beha/ior" <hy doesnFt this wor;K ,t destroys relationships and dri/es people away( en!o raging ' rther !on'li!t( when there is al#ost always a #ore e''e!ti/e sol tion to yo r so!ial stressor ) li;e asserti/eness" 8sserti/eness is the a!t o' e>pressing yo r apparently nseen or disregarded e#otions and needs in a #anner whi!h is nonG dg#ental o' yo r !on'li!tFs !o nterpart" &he #ethod wor;s by gi/ing a !aring so l a !ons!ientio s reason to !hange or !orre!t a dys' n!tional beha/ior and heal the ri't !reated by the proble#ati! words or a!t" Passi/ity doesnFt e>press yo r needs( and aggression G st !reates #ore !on'li!t( b t asserti/eness helps to gro nd the e>!hange in a !al#( rational tone( allowing the other so l to !aringly !hange witho t the !o#p lsion to rebel or ignore othersF needs" 8 'inal word ) e/en asserti/eness isnFt 'oolproo'" So#e donFt care( and anger !an be al#ost i#possible to separate 'ro# an atte#pt at asserti/eness( !a sing the proble#s s ally asso!iated with aggression ) es!alated tensions and rea!ti/e indignation" Let( it is a /ital s;ill 'or healthy relationships" <hile it #ay not always wor;( espe!ially as yo are G st starting to learn to se it e''e!ti/ely( it #ay be yo r best bet at en!o raging a sol tion whi!h wor;s 'or all !on!erned indi/id als in the relationship or sit ation"

.es!ribe a sit ation o' !on'li!t whi!h asserti/eness #ight ha/e helped with"

<hat spe!i'i! !o## ni!ations #ight ha/e helped to resol/e this !on'li!tK

23

-rea;ing &hro gh
<hoNs rightK <hoNs wrongK <ill e/ery side e/er agreeK <hose /ersion o' e/ents tr ly represents realityK <hose arg #ents donNt ha/e another hal' thatNs !ontradi!tory to the 'ra!tion that that 'a!tion holds o' the whole storyK &hings see#ing tr e to #e donNt #a;e sense to yo " Can reality e>!eed a point o' /iewK Can one see past oneNs pastK Can , brea; thro gh what ,N/e been thro ghK .o o r eyes see di''erent h esK <hat is li'e li;e in di''erent shoesK ,' , !hoose to ad#it that , donNt ;now( what do , loseK """when the walls are down( when weN/e #ade it thro gh( and when we spea; with lo/e( in no desire to !ontrol or to de'end all that we spend o r li/es !linging to( we see@ we donNt need it( when we brea; thro gh"
.o yo agree with the general senti#ent o' open:#indedness in this poe#K

.o yo agree that o r relationships get stronger when we let o r de'enses goK

<hi!h o' this poe#Fs ideas a''e!ted yo #ost pro'o ndlyK

<hat are the psides o' holding onto yo r perspe!ti/e in a !on'li!tK

<hat are the downsides o' habit ally trying to win yo r arg #entsK

Has this poe# opened yo r #ind to better relating and relationshipsK

.o yo agree to !arry its #essage 'orward in yo r ' t re so!ial intera!tionsK

24

&he Signi'i!an!e o' E#otion

C r cares add meaning to o r thoughts( generating o r emotions( gi/ing o r li/es the significance whi!h #a;es the# #atter ethically and to each social soul whose will is !o#pelled by e/ery 'eelingFs se' l energy( des!ribed below@ The Acceptance Emotions Peace ) Pro#oting har#ony with a calm e#otional !li#ate Love ) Pro#oting har#ony with a caring e#otional !li#ate Joy ) Pro#oting har#ony with a cheer ul e#otional !li#ate The Non-Acceptance Emotions !ear ) Resol/ing !on'li!t by avoidance Anger ) Resol/ing !on'li!t by con rontation "adness ) Resol/ing !on'li!t by appeal to compassion <hat do yo care abo tK <hat has been happening with regard to yo r !aresK How do yo feel abo t thisK .o yo see yo r e#otions as validK <hat a!tions 'eel emotionally appropriateK .o yo see s !h a!tions as healthy and functionalK
26

,=" %eadership
E''e!ti/e leadership is ' nda#ental to the s !!ess' l p rs it o' gro p endea/ors( in!l ding the so!iali?ation o' ea!h generation( pro'essional training( and e!ono#i! enterprise" &he !ontin ed e>isten!e o' tribes and nations has histori!ally rested #ost hea/ily on the sho lders o' leaders( in!l ding new leaders pon whose sho lders it 'alls to help their 'ollowers to e/ol/e and adapt to their e/er:!hanging world" &his 'inal se!tion o' the wor;boo; !on!erns itsel' with the e''e!ti/e g idan!e o' yo who wo ld g ide the ne>t generation in the p rs it o' #eaning' l s !!ess" <hile leadership styles /ary greatly( we e>a#ine the e''e!ts o' ea!h and wor; to nderstand G st what #a;es one style better or worse than any other" Consider the e>er!ises whi!h 'ollow this introd !tion@ 1" 2" 3" 0" 1" 2" 3" &he Story o' Sensible Sa# Child and Parent 8rg e abo t Parenting &he Power &rap %eadership Styles ,dentity Plasti!ity Modi'ying -eha/ior %e/els o' Care

-eing a leader #eans !on/eying a !o#pelling and e''e!ti/e /ision o' s !!ess 'or others to 'ind inspiration eno gh in to wish to 'ollow" ,t #ay also #ean nderstanding the dyna#i!s and pro!ess o' the tas; at hand eno gh to tea!h it to those who wish to parti!ipate in the gro pFs endea/ors" Ea!h indi/id al has his or her pla!e in the !olle!ti/e and helps to reali?e the potential o' the gro p ) by learning and( in ti#e( to lead"
30

&he Story o' Sensible Sa#

Sensible Sa# wanted to li/e a long and happy li'e" <hen good things were possible( Sa# wor;ed to #a;e the# happen" 8nd when bad things li;e .anger threatened( Sa# #ade s re to a/oid the#" Sa# was yo ng( tho gh( and didnFt ;now what all was dangero s in the world" Sa# had to tr st Mo# and .ad to ;now and to tea!h at the nat ral pa!e o' li'e" Sa# was /ery ! rio s to ;now their reasons( o' !o rse( and o'ten as;ed DwhyE when Mo# or .ad pointed o t .anger" &hey o'ten #ade Sa# pro#ise to a/oid it( on!e they had e>plained G st how it was so dangero s" Cn!e( Sa# pain the# no #ind and started to do so#ething whi!h Mo# ;new was =ery dangero s" %ittle Sa# did not ;now it was so dangero s( b t when Mo# sho ted his na#e in 'ear( int ition let Sa# ;now that stopping was the wisest thing to do" Mo# h gged Sa# in relie'" D<eFre going to ha/e a tal; abo t this thing and staying sa'e" Lo ha/e to tr st #e( Sa#" ,F/e been aro nd 'or long eno gh to ;now"E Sa# tr sted Mo# and 'elt badly 'or s!aring her" D, G st want yo to be sa'e(E Mo# said with a ;iss to her !hildFs 'orehead" Sa# was happy to be sa'e and lo/ed( and so were Mo# and .ad" Sa# #ade s re to play it sa'er and sa'er with ea!h lesson and tr st in the wisdo# whi!h Mo# and .ad ta ght and li/ed as an e>a#ple to Sensible Sa#" How were Sa#Fs parents able to tea!h Sa# to a/oid dangerK How do yo thin; this #ethod o' tea!hing !o#pares to p nish#entK .o yo thin; that p nish#ent has a pla!e in raising !hildrenK E>plain"

31

Child and Parent 8rg e abo t Parenting

Child@ Ow$ %ine$ , re' se to participate in yo r ! lt re o' violence( pending yo r ethi!al !on/ersion to non/iolen!e and respe!t 'or #y so lFs basi! worth" , will !ontin e to G dge yo r e>pressions o' ethi!" Parent@ <hatKK ,t is for yo r own good$ Child@ No( it gi/es #e g ilt and anger" &uilt added to anger !reates evil" .onFt yo seeK <hen yo 'eel li;e yo Fre a bad person( and yo want to hurt people( yo Fre evilO <hat are yo trying to doKK Parent@ 'ou did so#ething wrong$ Child@ Mista;es are to be learned 'ro#( with appropriate g idan!e" &hat yo donFt tr st #y intent indi!ates that yo ha/e ' nda#ental mistrust, a dar; and dys' n!tional /iew o' h #an nat re" Please stop proGe!ting that onto me" Parent@ People are e/il ) they need to be held a!!o ntable 'or their a!tions( yo idiot$ Child@ 8 personal atta!; ) that is not ethi!al beha/ior in a logi!al debate" &o !o nter yo r error o' reasoning, , s b#it that reward and p nish#ent create that ;ind o' person( thro gh their 'o! s on conse(uences for oneself! Parent@ <hat are yo e/en tal;ing abo tKK ,F# gi/ing yo p 'or adoption$

Child@ ,tFs 'or the best" , need to spread #y enlighten#ent so that the ' t re leaders o' the world #ay 'ind their ethi!al gro nd" Parent@ $ine ) <hatever$ Child@ ,Fd say that itFs been ni!e ;nowing yo ( b tH yo Fre #ean"

.oes the !hildFs point o' /iew represent yo r own perspe!ti/e at any point in yo r li'eK

.o yo thin; that this point o' /iew is /alid or( on the other hand( la!;s wisdo#K

.o yo see how easily one #ay ta;e the parentFs point o' /iew in so#e sit ationsK

32

&he Power &rap

Callo s hearts sho ldnFt wield power( b t power !allo ses hearts" Per#ission to p ll ran; enables G dg#ental !oldness to e#erge" S perior stat s in'lates the ego( and DlessersE are less respe!ted" Relationships are lost to the per!eption o' oneFs harder heart" &his #ay be ine/itable ) a thority te#pts a stalwart disregard" Cne # st learn to see e/ery so l as /alid in a #ost basi! sense" <ith !onsideration o' oneFs story( tho ghts and !ares gain !onte>t" ,n nderstanding( e#pathy dissol/es oneFs ran; and ego" <itho t the role o' power( one ret rns to so'ter heart" H #anity is th s restored( and a !a tionary tale is born" So'ter hearts that ;now o' power ;now that itFs a tragi! trap" .o yo agree with the assertion that power roles are a !orr pting in'l en!e on peopleK

.o yo see that people s ally respond to !oldness with !oldness and to war#th with war#thK

.o yo agree that #aintaining yo r positi/e regard 'or others #ay help yo to a/oid !on'li!tK

.o yo thin; that i' yo really nderstood what a person has been thro gh( yo #ight so'ten yo r /iew on his or her short!o#ingsK

33

%eadership Styles
8 thoritarian ) 8 stri!t approa!h whi!h e>presses senti#ents li;e( D.o as , tell yo or elseOE &he 'ollowing are !o##on rea!tions@ Passi/e Response *,t be!o#es hard to e>press or D'indE onesel'"+ Rebellion Response *Con'iden!e enables de'ensi/e righteo sness"+ Con/ersion Response *8 !oer!i/e approa!h to intera!tions is learned"+ Per#issi/e ) 8 hands:o'' approa!h whi!h basi!ally says( D.o whate/er yo want ) yo Fre 'ree to #a;e yo r own de!isions in li'e"E $ t re beha/ior will then depend pon li'eFs #any role #odels and oneFs niB e growth o' personal /al es and /iews" Care and Reason ) %eads in a balan!ed( rational way" $or e>a#ple( D&hat is a real person( who really #atters( sa#e as yo and #e" <hy donFt we all !al# down and try to get alongKE &his approa!h !an be highly e''e!ti/e i' the leader nderstands the s bGe!t on whi!h he or she is leading and is an e''e!ti/e !o## ni!ator in that regard"

<hat do yo thin; sho ld be the pri#ary !on!erns o' a leaderK

<hi!h leadership style do yo thin; #ight be #ost e''e!ti/e 'or these !on!ernsK

<hy wo ld this style o' leadership be #ore e''e!ti/e than the othersK

<hat is yo r personal e>perien!e with this di''erent style o' leadershipK

30

,dentity Plasti!ity
Sense o' sel' is( in part( the gro nd 'ro# whi!h tho ghts and a!tions e#erge" Cr !ially( i' one is D!alled na#esE by those one respe!ts( those na#es tend to Dsti!;E to so#e degree( rein'or!ing the notion o' oneFs e/er:!hanging sel' as un!hanging in a !ertain way" Si#ply internali?ing anotherFs dire!ted estee#( be it tone o' /oi!e( 'a!ial e>pression( or body lang age( sends the s ggestible #ind a power' l #essage o' proGe!ted estee#( whi!h !an be insidio s in a''e!ting oneFs sel':!on!ept" 8 so l #ay( o' !o rse( atte#pt to #aintain his or her identity by ins lating against h rt' l relationships( thereby prote!ting oneFs sel':respe!t 'ro# erosion and shi't( b t a !ertain nagging do bt #ay re#ain with a person 'or so#e ti#e" Cne #ay 'ind onesel' wondering( na!;nowledged beneath a #ood o' inse! rity@ "m I good enough) 8 basi! a!;nowledg#ent that we are so s ggestible to the so!ial !ontent o' o r li/es ) even when itFs not dire!ted at s ) #ay !o#e easily to #any( gi/en how deeply aware we are that we learn !onstantly thro gho t o r niB ely growing and lti#ately sel':de'ining li/es" Let we tend to thin; o' o rsel/es as the sa#e people thro gh o r li/esF #any lessons" - t is that really as rational as it 'eelsK , !hallenge yo to thin; o' yo r earliest #e#ories and !onsider how di''erent yo are today" Consider yo r niB e path o' growth thro gh li'eFs #any interests( hobbies( and relationships" 8re yo not a di''erent in!arnation o' person now and at e/ery point o' ti#e thro gho t yo r li'eK "ll that endures is change, to B ote the an!ient 7ree; philosopher Hera!lit s( despite o r instin!ti/e i#pressions on the #atter( and # !h o' this !hange !o#es 'ro# o r intera!tions with others" &he i#pli!ations o' this are enor#o s" E/ery person in a position o' a thority has signi'i!ant power( 'or better or 'or worse( to a''e!t real people" ,n the ho#e( s!hool( wor;pla!e( #ilitary( prison( or treat#ent !enter( we are all s ggestible to so#e degree" ,t is 'or this reason that , ad/ise a thorities to !onsider well( G st how they thin; o' ) and there'ore treat ) their s bordinates o' s !h ob/io s plasti!ity" ,t is #y assertion there'ore that s !h labels as DbratE( D!ri#inalE( and Daddi!tE ha/e no pla!e in o r !i/il dis!o rse( despite what the stat s B o #ay thin; o' the #atter" People !hange in e/ery #o#ent and grow to lea/e s !h labels behind"

31

Modi'ying -eha/ior
*+ofties, and -he Hard-of-Heart
So't Power is the in'l en!e one has o/er others thro gh oneFs personable !haris#a" Hard Power is the in'l en!e one has o/er others thro gh /iolen!e and inti#idation"

Cne o' these 'osters healthy relationships and e#otional !li#ate( and the other destroys s !h so!ial essentials" Cne inspires e# lation and respe!t o' goodness( while the other in!ites rebellion and 'ear o' a thoritarian badness" Cne b ilds p !o#passionate Dso'tiesE who thin; the best o' people( and the other instills a hard heart whi!h is Gaded to a !yni!is# regarding others" How one #eets and treats the world de!ides that so lFs so!ial DrippleE in li'e" <hi!h li'e wo ld you wish to ha/eK <ho yo are is an ongoing( #ind' l de!ision" .onditioning, .onformity, and .onscience &here are three basi! reasons why a so!ial being re'rains 'ro# h rting those aro nd hi# or her when he or she reali?es that a beha/ior being !onsidered #ay !a se har#@
Conditioning a''e!ts oneFs sense o' !onseB en!es thro gh the beha/ioral asso!iations o' reward and p nish#ent" Con'or#ity a''e!ts oneFs sense o' !onseB en!es thro gh 'ear o' reGe!tion( playing on oneFs desire to belong" Cons!ien!e a''e!ts oneFs sense o' !onseB en!es thro gh a basi! !aring 'or those one holds in high estee#"

&he i#pli!ations o' these insights a#o nt to wisdo# 'or the beha/ioral !orre!tions o' any who are #at re eno gh to be a''e!ted by the atte#pted ind !tion o' these #odi'iers o' tho ght( spee!h( and a!tion" Insights on /egative Esteem
Sha#e has to do with what others thin; o' yo " 7 ilt has to do with how you 'eel abo t yourself" Sel':.o bt allows the conversion o' Sha#e to 7 ilt" Sel':8ss ran!e allows one to battle both Sha#e and 7 ilt"

8long this line o' tho ght( perhaps one ' n!tional p rpose o' introspection is to !o#e to a deeper understanding o' onesel'( th s e#powering oneFs a ssertiveness with personal insight and !on/ersely enabling apologetic maturity with the in'or#ed !los re o' de'ensi/eness and an honest a!;nowledge#ent o' responsibility 'or oneFs #indset( words( and a!ts" Healthy( balan!ed sel':estee# !o#es along with this #at rity( as well as with a #ind' lness o' personal s !!ess or 'ail re gro nded in the honest a!;nowledge#ent o' oneFs propensity to care"

32

%e/els o' Care

,n the interest o' a deeper nderstanding o' what personal /al es one #ay possess( this essay e>plores so#e se' l !ategories with whi!h oneFs !ons!ien!e #ay be des!ribed" , organi?e these pathologies o' basi! #oti/ation into what , ter# the %e/els o' Care( whi!h are as 'ollows@ Level # $%ihilism& is a !o#plete lack o' !are ) a personally and so!ially destr !ti/e and dangero s point o' /iew 'or any to !arry thro gh li'e" Level ' $Hedonism& !ares only 'or the pleas re one #ay glean 'ro# li'e( perhaps heedless o' another beingFs possible res lting pain" Level ( $Tri)alism& loo;s o t 'or the good o' a sele!t in:gro p( in short: sighted !on!erns o' lo/e and9or prag#atis#" Level * $Moralism+ !ares 'or the well:beings o' all good and #oral( gen inely !aring so ls( whether or not they are ;nown to the #oralist" Level + $,niversalism& identi'ies a basi! worth in all beings and sees all s ''ering as tragi!( reGe!ting the paradig# o' se/erity( e/en 'or e/il" CneFs !ons!ien!e #ay be a!! rately des!ribed by #ore than one o' the %e/els( o' !o rse" &his e>ploration is intended as ' el 'or the generation o' personal insight and so!ial e#pathy( yet #ay 'all short as de'initi/e" 5lti#ately( what resonates with yo is what will be !arried on as bearing tr th 'or yo " &he tr e test is in yo r nderstanding and yo r li'e" Lo r perspe!ti/e de!ides the weight o' these words and the potential wisdo# whi!h #ay be 'o nd within" $ro# 0:10( !ir!le the e>tent to whi!h ea!h o' the le/els now des!ribes yo " %e/el 0 *Nihilis#+ 0:1:2:3:0:1:2:3:4:6:10 %e/el 1 *Hedonis#+ 0:1:2:3:0:1:2:3:4:6:10 %e/el 2 *&ribalis#+ 0:1:2:3:0:1:2:3:4:6:10 %e/el 3 *Moralis#+ 0:1:2:3:0:1:2:3:4:6:10 %e/el 0 *5ni/ersalis#+ 0:1:2:3:0:1:2:3:4:6:10
33

Con!l sion
, hope that yo ha/e 'o nd this wor;boo; to be help' l" , wrote it both as a 'or# o' sel':therapy and with the goal o' sharing #y insights with the world at large" Please e>! se its bre/ity ) , organi?ed it while #ind' l to stay 'o! sed on topi!s whi!h , 'elt were o' the highest tility 'or #y potential readers and whi!h 'lowed well with the rest o' the #aterials , had asse#bled" ,' yo ha/e had any personal epiphanies while reading #y words( then , sho ld be satis'ied that so#e good has !o#e o' #y e''orts" , belie/e that this is li;ely( so , a# happy to be 'inishing the boo; and p tting it o t there 'or people s !h as yo rsel' to 'ind and e>plore" , in/ite yo to share any positi/e e>perien!es whi!h these e>er: !ises #ay ha/e 'a!ilitated" , wo ld ass #e that there are people in yo r li'e who !o ld bene'it 'ro# the deepening o' insight whi!h this te>t has perhaps enabled in yo r heart and #ind( and this proli'eration wo ld satis'y #y desire to a!hie/e #eaning' l s !: !ess as a person o' !are( as it #ight 'or yo as well" <ishing yo the best( 0ohn 0oseph 1ohrer

34