Healing Vacations in Hawaii

A ROADMAP TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS ©

A TOOL FOR SELF-ASSESSMENT

The body is a miracle — a complex system of 50-60 trillion cells, each divinely programmed to sustain life. From conception on, the body continuously replenishes itself, actively restoring tissue, bones, organs and blood. Coordinating all this activity is the brain, which processes more than a million messages per second, instructing the heart, for example, to beat up to 1,000 times a day or regulating the entire regeneration of the skin every 28 days.

The physical body may look solid, but it is actually made up of vibration and space. What we experience as physical, concrete matter is in fact a vast field of dancing energy. Our health reflects variations in our states of consciousness.

When we are healthy, we pay scant attention to this incredible, intelligent work of art and rarely give it thanks. Only when signs of illness or disease arise do most of us begin to respond to our bodies in a more caring, appreciative and knowledgeable way. It it then that we must try to determine why a condition has arisen and how to best assist our bodies in returning to their natural states of health.

Depending on the condition, the terrain of healing can range from simple to complex. The variables needing to be addressed include all aspects of the self: body, mind, emotion and spirit. The territory and interconnected fabric of your total life experience contribute to your ultimate health.

In an effort to better understand and map out this terrain, we've created this tool for self-assessment. It contains four quadrants — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual — all woven together to illustrate the path to healing. It is designed to help you determine where to place your attention, what options to consider and which work could benefit you most. Examining the questions posed in each of the quadrants will enable you to create a self-inventory that reflects your true qualitative state of being. Write your answers in the form of a journal entry or story; read your story back to yourself and really listen to it. How true does it seem? Is this what is actually going on in your world and with who you are? Have you been completely honest? Use this assessment as a map to determine where you need to focus. Give yourself as much time as you need; a comprehensive assessment such as this should be an on-going process that could take several months, a year, or even a lifetime.

So much of health is dependent on your relationship with your self. Your personal reflective journey is the first step.

PHYSICAL PATHWAY

DNA, Ancestors, Strengths, Weaknesses and Medical History

What do I need to know about my own family history that will be a key to understanding my own health? Do I have a predisposition to certain conditions? Are there preventative measures I can take now? Am I allergic to certain foods, cosmetics, drugs or herbs? What was my childhood environment like? If I am having symptoms, how well do I understand them and how able am I to describe them to others? Do I know what brings them on? Would it help for me to keep a journal to document my condition?

Living and Working Environment

Am I living and working where I want to be? Am I exposed to chemicals, toxins or other environmental stresses in my home or work environment? Are there bad habits and old patterns I need to change or lifestyle changes I can make? Do I have the right ergonomics in my car, at my desk, in my bed and elsewhere in my home to support my optimum physical health?

Dietary, Nutritional, Constitutional and Repair

Am I eating in a healthful way? Do I give my body the support it needs through nutritional supplements/vitamins? Am I exercising and stretching frequently enough? Do I drink enough water throughout the day? Do I sleep well at night and feel rested and revitalized when I awake? Do I know where my stress is coming from and what I can do to reduce it?

MENTAL PATHWAY

Self-Esteem

How much do I truly value and love myself? What are the messages I give myself daily? Am I aware of my daily chatter and inner "self-talk"? What are my strengths and where do I need to grow? Is my ego dominating me, or do I have a balanced sense of confidence and trust in my abilities? How do I treat others?

Vision

Do I have a vision for my life? What am I passionate about? What makes me really happy? Am I inspired by my own thoughts? How well can I plan for the things I want or need? Am I doing what I want to be doing in life or settling for less?

Will and Work

What do I contribute to the world around me? Am I accountable? Do I derive satisfaction from the work I do? Is what I do stimulating, or have I grown past it? Do I need to move on to a sufficiently challenging path?

EMOTIONAL PATHWAY

Relationships: Family, Friends and Partners

Are the relationships in my life supportive? Do I experience a quality of love and togetherness that feeds me? How well do I love others and receive love? Is there conflict or stress that I am not aware of in any of my relationships and if so, do I know how to resolve it? Am I holding on to repressed grief, anger or other emotions that need to be expressed?

Growth, Balance, Inner Life and Self-Nurturing

Am I feeling fulfilled in life, or am I disappointed? Do I feel a sense of growth and balance, or does my life feel stagnant? Do I have a relationship with myself that is nurturing? What is my own inner terrain like? Am I at peace? Do I have the resources I need to help me through difficult emotions? Do I feel gratitude for what I have and who I am?

Recreational

How much fun and joy do I express? Am I as creative as I would like to be? Do I feel fully alive? How often am I depressed? How much pleasure can I receive? Am I taking enough time to recreate myself? If not, what can I do to provide myself with essential downtime? How much time do I spend in nature?

SPIRITUAL PATHWAY

Purpose for Living

Do I know why I am here and what my life is about? Am I adrift, or do I understand my destiny? Do I feel my life is unfolding in the direction it is meant to be, or do I feel off track? If so, how different would it look if I were on track? Do I know what work my soul wants to do and where it needs to grow?

Psychic and Subconscious Awareness

Am I aware of what my dreams are telling me? Am I in touch with my intuition? Am I aware of my inner compass? Have I made contact with my personal guides and spirit helpers? Do I understand the messages my subconscious is giving me? How much do I know about the ³shadow side² of myself, the thoughts or truths I may not be aware of or want to admit?

Practices to Sustain You

Do I have a practice (prayer, meditation, yoga, etc.) that helps me maintain my connection with the universe? Do I find support in my community for my spiritual needs? Can I feel the benevolence of the world? Do I feel trusting of and sustained by life?

back to guidebook