Chapter 1 - The Longing for Self-Improvement
The Source of Energy and Enthusiasm; Self Actualisation and Person Centred Therapy; the Impact of Life's Realities; Hope and New Realities; A Sense of Coherence; Positive Psychology and Health; An Inflated Ego; a Summary.
This memorandum on Education is based upon the enthusiasm deep inside of us for self-improvement or 'self-actualisation'. We are motivated by how we perceive our strengths and how something new and exciting can impact upon us.
In this chapter we will explore this idea, and explain how there are brakes to this enthusiasm, through life's realities. The process of meeting setbacks and dealing with them, enables us to be stronger and grow in maturity, enabling us to have a growing 'Sense of Coherence' about life. The overcoming of hurdles and problems is facilitated by relationships with those who help us and give advice. Having positive relationships enables us to enrich our functioning with others and creates the basis for self-development and personal responsibility.
Summary
This first chapter explores the notion that we all have an energy inside to move towards our own self-improvement. This potential needs to be respected and enhanced, and this is a great source of optimism and energy for each individual and for society.
This energy can provide the means for deferred gratification, creativity, innovation and personal responsibility. It should be utilised in education to enhance dynamism through opportunities for learning and development.
We acknowledge, too, our enthusiasm needs to be pruned. Our aspirations are continually being refined, along with readjusted appreciations of our self-awareness. School and family life will create hurdles. When this happens, we will depend on supportive relationships around us.
In some ways if our enthusiasm was not contained and directed, we could become arrogant and self- important i.e. an ‘inflated ego’. Measured freedom and growth of self-discipline are important, complimentary qualities for growth.
This personal growth depends on the support and wisdom of others. Parents, carers, grandparents, extended family and teachers and learning support assistants can provide this useful function. It need only be 'good enough' at the right time.
Our development will be best grown when a positive outlook is made by those around us, pointing out our strengths, and giving us feedback. This may challenge us with aspirations of new goals in life.
We depend on others to provide us with both the nurturing and the pruning of our self-awareness by their actions and comments - giving support and challenging appropriately.
We also need a time to relax, and not to have to carry the burden of aspiration on our shoulders all the time.
In a simple form:
Our desire for self-improvement meets the reality of life and we face setbacks. Personal disappointments are ameliorated and made understandable by supportive relationships. Self-resilience grows from internalising those voices of support. It makes life understandable and builds our ‘Sense of Coherence’ and ability to stand on our own two feet.