Your Guiding Light People Commonly Look To A Particular Reli

51 Your Guiding Lightpeople Commonly Look To A Particular Religion

5.1 Your Guiding Light: People commonly look to a particular religion, higher power, or philosophy to guide their life and to keep them living within healthy boundaries. How well are you following what you feel is your guide or walking your talk? Why is that the case? How does that affect you personally and relationally? What do you need to do to keep a good thing going and/or to make needed changes?

5.2 Self-Evaluation Analysis: (Document cited answers as instructed.) Ponder your Self Evaluation question and subparts 5 (Compassionate Service?). Scan the supplement PPT-5a, particularly the segments under Food for Thought. When reflecting on the above Self Evaluation question and the above PPT, what mostly relates to you and can help you, directly or indirectly for the past, present, and/or future, and specifically explain how or why. For this PPT, the 5.2 answer needs to be 1-2 pages. Self-Evaluation and PPT parts need to be reflected in your answer. Use APA style references only for direct quotes. Please identify other people by relationship, by position, or by a first name. Note: If you do not have children or plan to have children, consider and compare when you were a child and the results of your parent-child relationship.

5.3 Short Text Related Question: (Document cited answers as instructed.) From this week’s assigned text reading, Smalley covers three key relational topics: a. Forgiving Others; b. Creating a Safe Environment; and c. Maintaining Self-Care. Choose one of these three points, summarize the author’s view, and briefly tell how and/or why that would benefit your relationship with others.

5.4 Major Question: PWL Text Help for Relational Improvement Goal #2 Each of the three Relational Improvement goals needs to address a different relationship or a different issue within the same relationship. 1. What relationship do you want and need to improve? (Chose an important relationship to you, be it a spouse, child, family member, friend, co-worker, or acquaintance.) What is the main issue and/or specific difficulty regarding this person? 2. What is your specific goal, which is both realistic and achievable, that you can and will do for relational improvement and what do you want to see happen? 3. Self-Evaluation Title: Just give the number and title from the ten Self-Evaluation questions that best matches your goal. 4. What about you that needs to change or improve for your goal to make this part of your relationship healthier, more productive, and/or more harmonious? 5. What are some specific and documented teachings from this assignment’s required text that will be helpful in your attaining your goal? In Assignment 8, you will need to generally report on the results of your goal successes. Only use from the designated text reading for this assignment, make multiple nonsequential APA citations from the said text, blended with your thoughts, that can help with a solution to your issue.

5.5 Optional Comments or Questions to the Instructor: If you have no comments or questions, delete 5.5.

References

  • Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the book or article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pages. URL or DOI
  • Author, B. B. (Year). Title of the book. Publisher. DOI or URL

Paper For Above instruction

The quest for spiritual guidance and the ways individuals navigate their guiding principles are central to understanding personal development and relational harmony. Many people seek solace, direction, and a moral compass in a specific religion, higher power, or philosophical stance, which influences their behavior and interactions. Following one's guiding principles consistently and authentically plays a vital role in maintaining healthy boundaries and fostering trustworthy relationships.

In my personal experience, I recognize that my adherence to my spiritual values fluctuates based on circumstances, emotional states, and external pressures. For example, I aspire to embody compassion and patience as core tenets of my guiding philosophy, but I sometimes encounter challenges in consistently practicing these virtues during stressful situations. This inconsistency affects my personal growth and relational dynamics, especially with close family members. When I stray from my guiding principles, I notice increased conflict or miscommunication, which can strain relationships and hinder mutual understanding.

To strengthen my commitment, I must engage in regular self-reflection and reinforce my beliefs through tangible actions such as prayer, meditation, or community service. Developing accountability partners or participating in spiritual or philosophical groups can also enhance my consistency. These steps help sustain my moral compass, promoting coherence between my beliefs and actions, thereby enriching my relationships and fostering a sense of integrity and trustworthiness.

Research indicates that individuals with clear, authentic guiding principles tend to experience greater psychological well-being and relational satisfaction (Pargament et al., 2011). Moreover, aligning behavior with one's spiritual values enhances emotional resilience (Smith & Snell, 2010). This alignment influences relational dynamics positively, as authenticity fosters trust and reduces misunderstandings.

Reflecting on my own spiritual journey, I see that embracing my guiding principles more fully involves intentional practices and ongoing self-assessment. By consciously aligning my actions with my core beliefs, I can navigate life more ethically and harmoniously. In doing so, I not only honor my personal integrity but also create a model for others to follow, promoting healthier relationships grounded in mutual respect and shared values.

In conclusion, while I strive to walk my talk and adhere faithfully to my guiding principles, continuous effort and reflection are essential. Recognizing gaps between belief and behavior allows me to implement necessary changes, ultimately enriching my personal and relational life. Maintaining this alignment is an ongoing process that requires commitment, humility, and persistence, all of which contribute to a more authentic and harmonious existence.

References

  • Pargament, K. I., Mahoney, A., Exline, J. J., Jones, J. W., & Shafranske, E. (2011). Envisioning an integrative paradigm for the psychology of religion and spirituality. In P. Minnis (Ed.), Handbook of the psychology of religion and spirituality (pp. 3-21). Guilford Press.
  • Smith, H., & Snell, D. (2010). The soul of religion: Christian faith and spiritual practice. HarperOne.
  • King, P. E. (2014). Faith and health: Psychological perspectives. In Spilka, B., & McIntosh, D. (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of the psychology of religion (pp. 377-392). Oxford University Press.
  • Koenig, H. G., McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. (2001). Handbook of religion and health. Oxford University Press.
  • Foster, R. (2018). Celebration of discipline: The path to spiritual growth. HarperOne.
  • Emmons, R. A. (2005). Spiritual formation and recovery: A Christian perspective. In P. H. Dias (Ed.), Handbook of spirituality and religion in social work practice (pp. 103-117). Routledge.
  • Wuthnow, R. (2004). Saving America? Faith-based services and the politics of religion. Princeton University Press.
  • Paloutzian, R. F., & Park, C. L. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of the psychology of religion and spirituality. Guilford Press.
  • Benson, P. L., & Clark, P. (2012). Spiritual development and the family: A developmental perspective. In J. R. Averill & R. S. McIntosh (Eds.), Handbook of faith and health (pp. 465-491). Guilford Press.
  • Gallagher, S. (2013). How religious belief matters: Evidence, implications, and applications. Oxford University Press.

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