HW420 – SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INVENTORY

Kaplan University

HW420- Unit 9 Assignment

Professor Mark Maule

Michelle D. Smith
HW420 – SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INVENTORY

Introduction: During the past few weeks my life changed; it changed when I learned the

difference of spirituality and religion. How the mind-body-spirit make a whole person; also learned

that changing your mind shapes your outlook on health. When learning the difference of

pessimistic and optimistic your thinking creates a pattern of helplessness or wholeness.

Let’s learn and inventory the difference of a pessimistic mindset in developing the mind-

body-spirit. Pessimistic is a mindset which believes that bad events, circumstances last a lifetime.

Even into eternity, if the individuals don’t learn to control the tempo of his/her thinking.

Spirituality a pessimistic person fails to see hope as a positive measure. Instead see hopelessness

as a coping measure. Optimism is the opposite, they see bad events and circumstances as

challenges. They take a more “positive approach to life; whereas pessimistic take the negative

approach to life.” Seligman, M. (2006)

Another inventory of self is the way you see spirituality; is it nurturing. Is it cultivating; is

institutional or self satisfying. Is your spirituality gratifying to the mind-body-soul, does it define

your character for growth Helping others is very gratifying for me; over the past few weeks. It has

been tremendously rewarding to offer support for others and spent a few minutes comforting

someone else. A couple of my clients have had some medical issues that have prevented them from

continuing their fitness training goals. All in one week three client had some issue; one had hip

replacement, another knee replacement, one husband died and finally one had a stent put into his

shoulder. This all happen in one week, I made a commitment to myself that I would go visit each

of them and spend some time with each of them. After visiting and spending that quality time with

them; they all seemed pleased of sharing that gift of love and support.

“The conscious mind is a self-healing mind” Walsh, R. (1999) Were growing into the

spiritual conscious mindset, “awareness” that teaches you that your free to explore the strength
HW420 – SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INVENTORY

within. One of the purest example of awareness, is learning how to forgive. Forgiveness is like

gaining a new sense of purpose, gaining supernatural power from the inside. Power you forgot

existed, however, because you gave your power away to bitterness, un-forgiveness, anger, and

hatred. Allows the personal power factor to be withdrawn and depleted. In fact, it “chokes the very

life out of you holds you captive.” Seward, B. (2013) Focusing your attention on what is lacking

is how you take inventory of your mind-body-soul. Journaling is way to track the progress you

make in becoming free from un-forgiveness, anger, and stress. The goal of self-inventory is to

empty your soul of clutter and chaos in order for the spirit to shine.

Here are some questions relative to growth and understanding of spiritual and

psychological conducted by Charles Timmons:

1. What does your spirituality look like? Reason or importance? My spirituality embraces

a universal acceptance in worship, a lifestyle and alignment with nature. Long before there

was church, synagogue, cathedral; there was innate consciousness of one’s own “Temple

(body).” The relationship to sun, moon and stars – grass, trees, flowers, birds, fish,

mammals, animals. The seasons, wind, and other mystical occurrences; all of provide an

insight in the comfort and peace of nature that one experience internally.

2. Does complementary or spiritual medicine play a part of your well-being? Of course,

from the minute to the expansiveness of inclusion. Example: blessings of food and water

(H2O)/praise of the sun, moon and stars (the light source) along with the purification of

fire is relative to the burning of incense or sage.

3. How do you define spirituality? How do you define emotional healing? A) On a

personal level for me, the definition of spirituality is akin to inner feeling. That sometimes
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are viewed as wired sensations, that is unseen but felt. B) Emotional healing is somewhat

mystical; in the use of tears there is an adrenaline release of stress simultaneously with a

relaxing experience (painful but comforting).

4. Do your psychology and motivation have the same concepts? I’m sure the mindset one

develops over time in order to get things done. To achieve one’s goal is in essence a

motivating factor; intertwined with summoning of internal strength. Such as a vision or a

movie to improve on the promise of internal inspiration.

5. Describe what it means to meditate? Can you illustrate how you developed your

psychological growth? Mediation derives from the value or lessons from a teacher,

counselor or guide. Any extraordinary figure that is gifted in reasoning through simplicity.

Simplicity means and measures such as breathing. My psychological growth is directly

related to volumes of books on specific studies. As well as individual teachers who can

illustrate by example basic steps and stages.

6. Create 3 examples of what your motivation and self-reflection, meditation, optimism,

pessimistic? What has motivated me through the years is the “Saving Grace of the Most

High.” Which many refer to as God, being able to find a way when it looked no way was

possible. Being raised as a foster child, that moved from home-to-home. Revealed the true

value of realization through the passage of time. One should have a dream, a vision, and

see the opportunity transcend to another time zone. Still there is the unbelievable

extraordinary amount of mystical occurrences; revealed through mysteries and miracles

that are always ongoing. In simpler terms, there were countless times when I thought “when

will the beating stop.” Timmons, C. (2016) “Would they ever stop,” eventually not only

did they stop; however, I was removed to another home all together. Timmons, C. (2016)
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This is how I reflect on myself and optimism; had to believe that I would eventually become

a successful individual through trials and tribulation. Simply just give and become a

product of the system, my motivation came in the form of Jimi Hendrix the guitar musician.

It was during that era, he became my icon, and my inspiration. His guitar became a

reflection of hope for me; I became a self taught musician and that change at the age of 17.

Did a talent show! This is when I saw optimism working for the first time in my life as a

foster child. I won the talent show and it has been an everlasting relationship of hope,

encouragement, have several music CD’s, a radio broadcasting show, traveling musician

of several bands and a music teacher

7. Do you believe that being helplessness can cause a person to become sick? Helplessness

comes with a multitude of attacks, resulting in lack of energy. While one is down in the

dumps; down on oneself. Ultimately rendering the individual immersed in sickness, weak

and vulnerable.

8. Explain how meditation and spirituality help maintain significant health? Through the

perception of the temple (body) in and of itself. Being aware and become one with the

“higher power” by way of mental meditation. Slowing down the pulse rate of the heart and

freeing the mind of outside stimuli. One can develop not only a valuable insight through

practice by “breathing, stretching, and exercising.” Timmons, C. (2016) These practices

through consistency, will aid in maintaining significant health.

9. How many days do you contribute to your well-being? (meditation, exercise,

nutrition, and rest) Everyday or every other day, I make it a point to address my well-

being by exercising. Eating a healthy meal, taking sometime to meditate as well as resting

my body (temple).
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10. How do your use Self-renewal and recharge your energy level? Many times and often

I experience a recharging in the morning as I “rise to give thanks for a new day.” Timmons,

C. (2016) Meditation is my recharge device, it also very invigorating. The most important

of all is the recharging of the soul (spirit). It houses most of the energy needed to keep the

mind, body connection in tack. Finally, the physically of exercising is the mental strength

that greatly benefits the joy of it all mind, body, spirit.

11. Define mystical occurrences in your life? All of my life I grew up as a “foster child,” the

only word that I focused on was “mystical.” Mystical because I could not explain nor

understand “Why didn’t I know my parents?” “Where were they?” The memories of my

childhood was frightening, horrible to live in poverty is very sad. Yep! Abused beyond

your wildest imagination, very little food, rats running around during the night. Living with

a sickly elder woman, who seldom left the house. Lived next door to playground, where I

suffered abused from gang members. The encounter with the gang members always

resulted in some kind of physical punishment. One day these same gang members throw

me in a pool of 8ft deep. Here I am; cannot swim sinking to the bottom of the pool. When

out of no where “mystically” someone dragged me out and save me. Years and years of

abuse and neglect! All I could think about is my “mystical powers” to save me from the

systematic abuse and the physical abuse from gangs. Today, I am a leader of several bands,

a music teacher and I tell my story to children throughout the Philadelphia school district.

Embrace your shadows because they either make you strong or keep you under. “If I can

make it out of the system, so can you.” Timmons, C. (2016)

12. Have you ever had any skepticism dealing with mystical experiences? Never really

dealt with any real skepticism about mystical experiences. Because I always seem to be
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rescued from that time to this day and age. I have learned to give back to others, which

leads to take a more spiritual path of hope and inspiration. Today, I am a musician, a

recording artist, a member of four-five different bands. Play three-four different

instruments, guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. Teach music “elementary theory” and over

ten years of professionalism. Taught and created a neighborhood art class for the children

growing up in that area of Philadelphia. To increase awareness of self-pride, self-esteem

and girls and boys ages five to ten year olds. Member of an International Organization

known as the Caribbean Festival Committee of Philadelphia.

13. Describe anger management and how do you control it? In describing anger

management, truly is great to say I’m fortunate to not suffer issues associated with anger.

Very little in fact, because I have created a mind full of “mystical powers.” At an early age

I as attracted to a more peaceful meaning of life. Coping means of peace, ease, and joy will

fill my imagination with calmness. One of the reason I became an artist and musician;

because music soothes the inner soul (spirit). So much that If, it was administered by a

physician; nature would provide a more serene world.

14. Is holding a grudge helpful to the human mind-body-soul? Holding a grudge is

damaging internally to the mind, the heart and the soul. Without a doubt, even more

sickness is associated with carrying and holding a grudge.

Boundaries consist of being able to recognize the growth and increase it. Helplessness

produce more rapid tumors and forgiveness increase the immune system. “Faith develops a more

cornerstone foundation of the human spirit. Greatest revelation of “optimism is that its one-part

trust, one-part love, one-part intention and two parts mystery.” Seward, B. L. (2013) The mystical

and spiritual understanding about all of this is growing and developing a natural relationship with
HW420 – SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INVENTORY

yourself. A relationship with mental (mind), temple (body), and soul (spirit), the three of these

represent the wind, earth and fire. The trinity the Father, son and holy spirit and it all has to be a

unified relationship. Quantum physics is a science that describes how everything things is energy

and it takes a great amount of energy to “Love they Neighbor as Thyself.” Build on the seven

physical spirits of the body (two-eyes; two noses; two-ears; one mouth) they represent twice as

much to see; twice and much to smell; twice and much to hear and only speak once. We need to

hear twice and much as we speak is the message. I am still finding myself and looking to continue

my change and growth. The inventory is still on a continual path, as always change starts with self.

I am a vessel still in progress making changes along the way, in order to grow.
HW420 – SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INVENTORY

Reference

Seaward, B. L. (2013), Health of the Human Spirit, 2nd Edition retrieved from

https://www.kaplan,vitalsource.com

Seligman, M. (2006), Learned Optimism, How to Change Your Mind and Your Life

Timmons, C. (2016), Embracing My Mystical Mindset Testimony

Walsh, R. (1999), Essential Spirituality, The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind