Post 4

            I live my life without a filter. I am the person who speaks out on matters that need to be addressed. At the same time, I can be the person who says the wrong thing at the wrong time! Over the years, I have developed ways to control these impulses, but I still revert back to the same old ways. I found Khong’s article to be helpful for me as a client, but more importantly, as a future counselor. As a client, I should try to focus more on my thoughts by “watching” them develop during different situations. During meetings or classes, I could think it out before I act. I could step outside myself to view my thoughts and emotions towards a situation. As a counselor, I could focus more on listening to my client. More often than not, I am thinking about what I am going to say in response, or what I can do to help while I am listening to a friend, colleague, or even student (Khong, 2007). I should not try to immediately fix the client and their “problems”. I should practice being in the moment with them by experience their thought processes and emotions as they are.

            As for chapter 4, the text really hit home. I feel that this year has been a battle. Looking back on my life, I have been jumped around a lot. I have jumped around location wise and teaching wise. After college, I moved to South Carolina for my first teaching job. I taught 5^th grade my first year and 2^nd grade my second year. Then, I moved up here to teach 4^th grade. I taught 4^th grade for two years. Currently, I am teaching 5^th grade at the same school. With jumping around, I have found that I have to “start over” each year. Although my experience and practice as a teacher has greatly improved, my materials and resources have dwindled. This leaves me with a lot of work to do throughout the year.

            Saying this, I feel that my well being has been put to the back burner this year. Last year, I finally got to teach the same grade at the same school for the first time in my life (the whole 5 years of teaching isn’t long I know, but still haha). I had the resources, the experience with the curriculum, and the materials ready for my second year of 4^th grade. I felt that I could leave school at a decent time to go for a run or to the gym. I felt that I had time to cook a meal and eat right. I felt that I had time to read scripture, go to bible studies, and go to church (during the week). I had this time because I had everything in place from the year before.

            Since I jumped to another grade level, I have been learning the curriculum, making materials, and learning about new resources. My time at school has greatly increased compared to last year. I feel exhausted, overworked, and simply frustrated! I have been trying my best to set parameters, but it seems like I just do what I would be doing at school at home! The things I enjoyed doing after school last year, I struggle to get in this year. I have been putting it off until it gets warmer outside in hopes that the weather will get me back outside running again. I have been hoping as the year goes on that it will be easier. However, now it is almost March! I have been waiting far too long.

            This chapter helped me realize that I have a choice to overwork myself at school or to feel better about myself (Corey and Corey, 2012). I need to take responsibility and control of my situation. Instead of putting it off, I need to take action. I honestly got so used to the workload that it became a part of my everyday life. After reflecting during and after reading, I came to realize that I cannot continue to beat myself up like this. I need time to exercise, eat (healthy), and worship in order to keep my sanity!

           

Corey, G. & Corey, M. S. (2010). Your Body and Wellness. In Brooks/Cole (9^th edition), I Never Knew I Had a Choice (106-131). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.

Luan Khong, B.S. (2007). The Buddha's influence in the therapy room. Hakomi Forum, 18, 11-18.