Descriptions
Brief Descriptions of the 12 Areas of Self-Inquiry Using the Circle of Life
For your initial round of self-inquiry you will evaluate yourself in the 12 categories listed below. Before you proceed to fill in the Circle of Life assessment, you may want to read the general description of each section. This will give you a clearer understanding of what each category includes and how to evaluate your satisfaction, knowledge, skills and actions in these aspects of your life.
Nutrition and Diet
This refers to the kind of food and drink you choose to consume, the quality and quantity of the food you eat and how (fast, slow), why (hungry, bored, depressed) and when (before bed, while driving) you eat. This section also is for you to evaluate your knowledge of what is the best nutritional program for you, including any nutritional supplements or herbs.
Exercise and Fitness
This refers to your knowledge of the exercise or fitness program that is appropriate for you to meet your health and fitness goals. This section is for evaluating what kind of exercise you do (aerobic, strengthening, flexibility), how often you exercise, and for how long you exercise each time.
Stress Mastery
This refers to your knowledge, skills and implementation of stress management practices such as deep breathing, positive self-talk, deep relaxation techniques, etc. This section is also for your assessment of what you feel your current stresses are in regards to your relationships, work, finances, health, and life in general and to evaluate your skills for coping with stress.
Self-Care
Self-care refers to health care, which includes accessing and utilizing health screenings, health prevention education and treatment. Health care includes: dental, counseling, acupuncture, medical care, massage, prenatal care, chiropractic, osteopathic, naturopathic, physical therapy, eye care, hearing and ear care, family planning, etc.
Self-care also includes the ways you take care of yourself. Examples include but are not limited to relaxation, deep breathing, stretching, Qigong, Yoga, etc. This also focuses on the lack of self-care, such as putting yourself at risk by any of the following: smoking, alcohol, drugs, unsafe driving, unprotected sex, etc.
Relationships and Family
This refers to your social connections, communication, conflict resolution, relationships, family and parental skills. You will also be evaluating the quality of your relationships (personal, work). You will assess whether your relationships are draining, disempowering, or healthy, honest, loving and supportive. You will also consider how others might evaluate you.
Work and Career
This aspect is for rating your work or career satisfaction. You will evaluate your satisfaction with the organization, management, and your relationships with your co-workers and supervisor as well as the income and benefits you receive. Another consideration is your satisfaction with the physical environment of your workplace (noise, lighting, workspace or office, length of commute, etc).
Financial Health
This refers to your ability to create the financial resources that you need, and being aware of your feelings and beliefs about money. You will also reflect on your money management skills and your financial planning for the future.
Play, Creativity and Humor
Play can refer to your sense of humor, as well as how much time you spend doing what you enjoy. How much do you express your creativity in your home, in the arts, in work, or in your daily life? Also, note whether you are satisfied with the playmates in your life. These playmates may not be your spouse or significant other, and help encourage full expression of your playful or creative self.
Environment
This section refers to the larger environment or ecosystem, as well as smaller environments such as your home or office. You will reflect on how your actions affect the ecosystem, which in turn affects your life and health. You will also evaluate your home and work environments in terms of order, beauty, health and harmony.
Emotions, Attitudes, and Self-Esteem
This aspect of the Circle measures your level of self-esteem, meaning your self-acceptance, self-love and self-respect. The belief portion of this section refers to what your beliefs and perceptions are about yourself and about life in general. Emotions refer to your relationship to your emotions. Do you suppress your emotions? Are you driven by emotions? Do you know how to cope with your emotions or feelings? The attitude aspect of this section refers to your response to life.
Life Purpose and Service
Life purpose refers to living and fulfilling your reason for being here. Life purpose can be working from a life calling. It can also be your way of being in the world (family centered, positive attitude, spiritually focused, high integrity, etc). When you are fulfilling your life purpose, you are of service no matter what your profession, calling or economic status. Fulfilling your purpose naturally serves others.
Spirituality and Intuition
This refers to the fulfillment of your spiritual life, and the frequency and quality of your spiritual practices (meditation, prayer, spiritual gatherings, selfless service, connection to nature, time with spiritually focused people, spiritual reading, etc.). Intuition measures your ability to ìtune intoî your deeper self, listen to its messages, and evaluate how much you act upon your intuition, or gut level knowing.