Navigating Our Many Worlds
By Dr. Michael Obsatz – Reflections and Prompts for Small Groups or Personal Reflection
We are amazingly adaptive and complex creatures. By the time we are old, we have navigated through many different worlds. Many people do not give themselves enough credit for navigating all of these worlds, and adjusting to a wide variety of roles and expectations.
Navigating Our Many Worlds
Original Article
by Dr. Michael Obsatz
"We are amazingly adaptive and complex creatures. By the time we are old, we have navigated through many different worlds.
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THE WORLD OF ME — Who Am I?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
"We have personalities, temperaments and ways of being. Every person is unique, and part of maturing is discovering who one is and what he or she needs. We also change our views, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors as we age."
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THE FAMILY WORLD — Where Do I Fit?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
"We are born into a family. To survive and thrive in that family, we act in certain ways, trying to fit in and be safe. We are scripted into roles, and we play with them all of our lives."
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THE SCHOOL/PEER WORLD — How do I cope with others and organizational demands?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
“We then join the peer world, the world of children and school. We learn to play the school game, fit in, and get along. We found our group, or niche, if we are lucky. We learn to play a part in that group..."
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THE PARTNER WORLD — How do I maintain my own integrity and still adapt to my partner?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
“Eventually, we may find a romantic partner. We play the boyfriend or girlfriend role, This world changes as we age, and we adjust and adapt to expectations..."
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THE PARENT WORLD — What skills are needed to raise this child?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
“When we have children, we join the parent world. Making decisions daily that affect a smaller, helpless being."
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THE GRANDPARENT WORLD — How involved do I become?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
“When our children grow up, and have children of their own, we learn to navigate the grandparent role. What are rules, boundaries, and limits?"
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THE WORK WORLD — How can I be productive, make a living, and get along with others?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
“We start working in young adulthood, and have to adjust to bosses, co-workers, workplace etiquette and rules. If we change careers and jobs, we must adjust to new roles and people..."
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THE ADULT FRIEND WORLD — Who are my people?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
“Who we befriend determines how we relate, connect, and act. We develop social groups, hobbies, and past-times which often have guidelines and practices of their own..."
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THE COMMUNITY MEMBER WORLD — What is my social and political responsibility?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
“We can become socially and politically active in our communities. As a result, we are thrust into a variety of environments. We develop social values and live them out..."
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THE SPIRITUAL WORLD — What is my relationship to the Divine?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
“We join religious groups and institutions, and develop our spiritual lives. We connect with different people from different backgrounds, races, ages and social classes."
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THE ELDER WORLD — How do I grow old and still maintain my sense of identity and worth?
For Storytelling or Personal Reflection
“As we age, we may retire from work. We grow older, and develop various health issues. We often become medical patients, and generally have to deal with changes in our bodies, hormone levels, and energy levels. Eventually, we decline, and finally die."
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