The Strengths and Weaknesses Within My Medicine Wheel

2025 Words5 Pages

Introduction

In Aboriginal teachings, the medicine wheel is sacred because it represents the various components of a healthy, well-rounded individual. Like wellness, the medicine wheel represents an “active state of health in which an individual progresses toward a higher level of functioning, thus achieving an optimum balance” (as cited in Fain & Lewis, 2002, p. 7). The medicine wheel is divided into four major sections, each representing a major part of a person (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual). In order to achieve balance in one’s life, one must analyze each of these components, and work to improve communications within one’s self. Intrapersonal communication is vital to the development of self-concept and self-esteem, which in turn, contribute to better communication and interpersonal relationships (Beebe, Beebe, Redmond, & Geerinck, 2008). Therefore, it is crucial that a person has a “genuine sense of worth [in themselves],” before they look to develop an understanding of another person’s life (social decentering) (Beebe et al., 2008, p.47). This paper will serve as a means to assess my own intrapersonal communication in each of these four categories, using the medicine wheel described in Mussell (2005). In doing so, I hope to gain insight of how to improve my intrapersonal communication in each aspect of my life, which will, in theory, contribute to an increased ability to communicate with others (interpersonal communication).

Physical

Assessment and Self-Understanding

According to Mussell (2005), a healthy physical component consists of adequate “oxygen, food, water, rest, exercise, sensory stimulation, safety and security” (p. 116). I would describe the physical component of my medicine wheel as progres...

... middle of paper ...

... Balanced Approach: Incorporating Medicine

Wheel Teachings in the Care of Aboriginal People at the End of Life. Journal of

Palliative Care, 26(1), 34-6. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.cyber.usask.ca

/docview/749642674/fulltext?accountid=14739

Fain, N. C. & Lewis. N. M. (2002). Wellness: The Holistic Approach to Health. Journal of

Family and Consumer Sciences, 94(2), 6-8. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.

com.cyber.usask.ca/docview/218194038?accountid=14739

Loiselle, M. & McKenzie, L. (2006). The Wellness Wheel: An Aboriginal Contribution to Social

Work. Retrieved November 7, 2013, from http://www.stu.ca/~spirituality/Loiselle.pdf

Mussell, W. J. (2005). Warrior-Caregivers: Understanding the Challenges and Healing of First

Nations Men. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.cyber.usask.ca/lib/usask/docDetail. action?docID=10185133

Open Document