PerDev Reflection Series: Holistic Development
Q: How are you developing as a person based on the five aspects of holistic development (i.e., psychological, social, cognitive, physiological, and spiritual)?
In my head, each of the five aspects bears a certain philosophical weight which sets it apart from the others and so, for things to be as coherent in my mind as possible, I’ll write in ascending order of weightiness.
Today, I am an average, healthy adolesecent. As lucky as I am, I grew to become biologically normal, no sensory issues nor organ defects (except for my mild lumbar scoliocis, that is). My BMI scores are at the right place although, I lack much in the physical strength department. I am mostly vegetarian; I can only hope to be fitter if I choose to exercise regularly.
During the past year, I was able to live away from home independently for nine months. Acknowledging the fact that I’ve only ever gone to school here in TCS since I was six, I lacked enough social skills to associate myself with entirely unfamiliar people. The comfort of the known caused me to wallow in introversion and become cripple in the unknown. Through all the awkward silences and pats, the emparassing, and the extended moments and feelings of loneliness; as cheesy as it sounds; I learned to love, laugh, and cry with incredible people I didn’t know could become dear to me. I’ve grown so much in the past two years and I’ve gained more confidence to open my mouth more frequently! Store cashiers and clerks used to make me so anxious...
My cognitive growth isn’t as obvious to me. Perhaps, there hasn’t been much or I’m just totally unaware of it. although, I know that I’ve become more hesitant to make decisions--as I’ve become more aware of life’s consequences, and I’m trying to be more calculating and easygoing at the same time (which is very hard to do). Sadly, I think understanding/analyzing concepts, especially mathematical ones, has become more arduous to me.
Psychologically, I trust myself to learn from every experience, both successes and failures. I can say that I am quite good at controlling my emotions, especially in public; however, not so much at home (home has always been the place to be comfortable, after all). Now, I do try to keep myself occupied enough so that I could hold onto sanity. Idleness has never been good for my mental state. Those infamous constant feelings of emptiness at the pit of my stomach during my stay away from home made me realize that an active mind is a healthy one, springing with goals and ambitions, coupled with the company and warmth of people.
Lastly, my spiritual life is a cliche, a series of ups and downs--a rollercoaster. I always knew and still believe that peace of heart could only be achieved with prayer and communion with the Heavenly Father. All these ambitions and ever-changing states could never satisfy, that is for sure. I could barely keep up with my daily quiet time schedule with God, and have been holding myself from Him by fooling myself that I’m too busy. I love God so much but that is a struggle I carry so heavily today.
turnnoffyourmind
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