Final Blog Entry

            This semester, I began this course with no real expectations or knowledge of what it comprised of. For me, this course was a “check the block” on my path to graduation. However, once I received my book, I realized this course would be a far cry from most other psychology classes I had taken in previous semesters. I came to the delighted realization that this class would be an extended therapy session of sorts. This course was designed to assist me in becoming a healthy, productive, and successful human being and I got college credit for it as well! I immediately dove in and became fascinated with the course material. Within each lesson, I was discovering new things about myself. I was becoming more self-aware and learning new tools to implement in my life.

            By far, one of my favorite sections of this class was the one regarding failure. In Chapter 7, Activity 38, Expanding Your Comfort Zone, we were tasked to write down five things that we would do if we knew there was no possibility of failure. This lesson really pushed me to reflect on what some of my highest aspirations in life were.  By putting pen to paper, I realized that these dreams were not nearly as far-fetched as I had initially believed. This assignment reminded me that while these dreams may be lofty, they are still achievable.

            Other helpful tools I found within this course were the ones pertaining to proper money management. This is such a valuable life skill that most individuals are never taught nor fully understand. The expense logs and budget worksheets were a great asset in enabling me to see how I spend my money and where I could better save. I also enjoyed the section covering positive thinking. This is something that I have worked on my entire life to put into practice and continue to practice every day. This lesson allowed me to go back and learn new methods of positive self-talk and disputing negative thoughts.

            Overall, I am extremely thankful that I took this course. I value the lessons that I learned and the new tools and methods that I am now equipped with. I’ve gained new insight into the inner working of my thoughts and emotions and I would recommend this course to any student, regardless of the degree they are pursuing.

Blog Entry Week 9

Personal Journal 9.1

p. 344 “I” Statements

-You always interrupt when I’m talking.

-I feel upset when you interrupt me, because it makes me feel like what I have to say is not important to you.

-You just have to criticize, don’t you?

-I feel like I can’t do anything right when you criticize me.

-You’re late again, as usual.

-I feel like you don’t value my time when you show up late for our meetings.

-You need to help out more around the house.

-I feel like you don’t appreciate the time and effort it takes to clean the house when you do not participate in cleaning it.

-You get on my nerves when you act so babyish.

-I feel irritated when you do not react to a situation in an adult manner.

Personal Journal 9.3

p. 354 Circles of Yourself

I am a housewife, but I am not lazy.

I am an American, but I am not loud and obnoxious.

I am a woman, but I am not overly sensitive and emotional.

I am a tutor, but I am not exceptionally smart.

Personal Journal 9.4

p. 363 Dealing with Conflict

Work

Cause: My boss accused me of improperly maintaining accountability for sensitive items within our building.

How you handled it: I initially tried to explain the situation to her, but when that failed and she refused to listen, I went to her supervisor and explained the situation. While she was upset with me, the situation was resolved and I was cleared of any wrongdoing.

School

Cause: I had an instructor whose tests did not reflect the material we were studying. In turn, it was causing my classmate’s and I to do poorly on tests.

How you handled it: I reported the situation to the school. While it did not change the situation for my class, it hopefully changed it for future classes.

Home

Cause: My husband and I used to get irritated with little things that each of us did around the house. For example, leaving water spot on the mirror, leaving lights on, and not taking out the garbage.

How you handled it: To resolve this, my husband and I sit down once a month and discuss what things are bothering us. This way, the little things don’t build up and turn in to big things. 

Blog Entry Week 8

Personal Journal 8.1

p. 295  Prioritizing Your Life

Urgent Important – Pay an overdue credit card bill.

Urgent Not Important – Study for Friday’s exam.

Not Urgent Important – Fix a flat tire on the car.

Not Urgent Not Important – See a movie

Personal Journal 8.3

p. 308  How Do You See Money?

To me, money is an unfortunate necessity in life.

My financial goals are to comfortably retire by age 50 and ensure my child's college is paid for.

If I had a $100.00 bill in my wallet, I would take my family out to dinner.

When I think about paying bills, I feel organized and accomplished.

One thing I don’t understand about money is making proper investments.

To me, planning for retirement is expensive.

I worry about having enough money for a down payment on a new car.

Money helps me enjoy my life by allowing me to travel the world.

I don’t need money to enjoy time with my family.

Personal Journal 8.4

p. 320  Look Before You Leap

1.

Purchase: New couches.

Why I made it: The couches we had were cheap and uncomfortable.

Why I wish I hadn’t: There was only a small selection to choose from and I did not love them. Also, the material is not thick enough and tears easily.

2.

Purchase: Side tables in our living room.

Why I made it: We needed side tables.

Why I wish I hadn’t: I did not especially like the side tables and I should have waited until I found something I loved instead of settling.

3.

Purchase: Living room lamps.

Why I made it: We needed lamps.

Why I wish I hadn’t: I do not like them.

4.

Purchase: Set of 3 stackable tables.

Why I made it: I really liked the tables and I thought I could use them.

Why I wish I hadn’t: It turns out I didn't really have a use or place for the tables. They also were not worth the money we spent.

(We bought a lot of our furniture while living in Germany. We had a very small selection of home items to choose from, which inevitably left us with a lot of things we don’t really like. We should have just been patient and waited.)

Fourth Term Blog Entry

Since first reading Gary Chapman’s Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way, I have implemented the tools this book suggests. I have learned new coping mechanisms for my anger, such as evaluating the cause of my arising anger and whether it is justified or unjustified. It has been an interesting journey and I am glad that I have focused my attention on adjusting how I handle my anger. For the majority of time, I was able to practice the tools I read about but there were definite moments where I resorted to my old ways of handling anger. I believe that I have made good headway in handling my anger issues but I believe, just as everything else, this is an ongoing process. I plan to continue utilizing the lessons I learned from this book and I would definitely recommend this book to any individual who struggles with anger. 

Blog Entry Week 7

Personal Journal 7.1

p. 258 Generating Positive Motivation

I have to work hard on my resume, or else I won’t get any interviews.

- I have to work on my resume, so I can properly display my many talents.

I’m gathering references because no one will hire me without them.

- I am gathering references because they will additionally assist in representing my exceptional talents, personality, and work ethic.

I’m applying for lots of jobs because I don’t want to fell like I missed an opportunity.

- I am applying for lots of jobs to allow myself options.

I need to practice interview techniques so I don’t bungle it on the big day.

- I need to practice interview techniques so I can properly showcase my many talents and what I have to offer the company.

I have to follow up on the interview, or else they’ll think I don’t want the job.  

- I have to follow up on the job to show future employers my eagerness and desire to join their team.

Third Term Blog Entry

In the past month, I have tried to implement the tools I learned in Gary Chapman’s, Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way. I continuously attempted to evaluate my anger and focus on the cause of it and also if it was discriminate or distorted anger. When I found my anger was discriminate, I focused on what the injustice was and whether or not it was worth confronting the perpetrator or practicing forgiveness. The majority of the time, I was able to release my discriminate anger but I definitely struggled with my distorted anger.

My husband and I took a trip to London, England this past month for a family vacation. Within the first hour of arriving, I immediately began to experience distorted anger. I tried to self-reflect and understand where my anger was coming from. I understood that I was sleep deprived, tired of traveling, our daughter was being a handful, and I was frustrated that we were lost. I tried to calm myself down and realize that I was being ridiculous but it seemed just as I would begin to calm down, something else would happen to fire me up again. This happened the entirety of our trip and inevitably, I ended up feeling like a complete jerk. I am usually a happy go lucky person and very appreciative, but on this trip I acted like a spoiled brat to my husband. I apologized a handful of times on our trip and once we arrived at home. Thankfully my anger went almost unnoticed to him and did not affect his trip, however, it spoiled mine.

Other than our London trip, I feel that I have successfully implemented the tools I learned in Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way. I practice a great deal of self-reflection and self-talk and it helps me to compose myself and not act irrationally. It also allows me to understand where my anger is originating from and to release my anger, rather than hold onto it. I am happy that I have successfully learned to control my discriminate anger but I still have some ways to go with my distorted anger. 

Blog Entry Week 6

Personal Journal 6.2

p. 217 Thinking Long-Term

Impulse: If we have a little extra money at the end of the month, I have the bad habit of spending it rather than saving it.

1. The short-term, satisfying consequence of giving into this impulse, is that I am able to buy things that I want such as new clothes, things for the house, go out to eat, etc.

2. The long-term, negative consequence of giving into this impulse is that we are unable to save money in case an emergency arises. 

3. The short-term consequences do not outweigh the long-term consequences because it is better to have piece of mind that our family is taken care of in an emergency rather than having a new pair of jeans. I will remind myself of this next time the impulse arises.

Personal Journal 6.4

p. 248 Pros and Cons

PROS

Option 1:

Action - Rejoin the Army.

Goal(s) it would support – I would be working in an organization that I love. I would constantly be challenged physically and mentally, have the ability to travel, and have job security.

Value(s) it would support - Physical fitness, camaraderie, duty, selfless-service.

Option 2:

Action - Work as a civilian.

Goal(s) it would support – I would have the ability to choose the direction of my career, I would have more family time, and freedom to make major life decisions, such as moving, changing careers, etc.

Value(s) it would contradict – Generosity, family, and freedom.

CONS

Option 1:

Action - Rejoin the Army.

Goal(s) it would contradict – I would not be able to spend as much time with my family, the Army would mandate where I lived, worked, and where my children went to school, time off, etc.

Value(s) it would support – Family and freedom.

Option 2:

Action - Work as a civilian.

Goal(s) it would contradict – I would not have the pleasure of working in an organization that I truly love and value. I would also not have the job security the Army offers.

Value(s) it would contradict – Patriotism, self-less service (within the military), and duty.