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Unit Assignment 9

Cristian Del Rio

Purdue University Global

HW420
Professor Maule

August 9, 2022
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Unit Assignment 9

This last assignment was probably my favorite because it gave me the freedom to interact

and talk to different scopes of people. I interviewed 2 different people from two different

backgrounds. Although I will not write about both interviews, I got to acknowledge the different

styles. Both were more than willing to participate. I did not tell them much at the beginning, and

just started to have a casual conversation. We began to talk about upbringing and backgrounds.

The reason I decided to use one interview over the other one was because, Fran gave me more

feedback and more thought to the answers. I curated these questions with specific verbiage and

structure to help the interviewee think about the answer. These 10 questions can be used as a

guide in helping navigate spirituality and health. I gave the questionnaire to co-workers, family

and friends. To my surprise the conversations we had, were so insightful and spiritual. After the

interview with Fran, I decided to review the questions to note if I had done something different.

After asking a question I noted body language and demeanor. I objectively took this under an

assessment and made some final comments.

1. What is Health and Wellness to you?

Answer: “Health and wellness to me is taking care of myself, from the inside and out.

Being mindful of the things I put in my body, such as food and products (lotions, etc).

Exercising to keep myself physically strong and relief stress. Engaging in self-care tasks,

reading, coloring, walking outdoors, etc, to keep my mind sharp and keep peace. Connect with

God to satisfy my spiritual health.”

Subjective: This first question she gave a strong answer.

Objective: I saw confidence in this answer and curiosity. Her body language was relaxed

but stern. I see her at work and her answer was concise with what her actions dictate.
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Assessment: The only thing I would change with this question would be: What does

health and wellness mean to you.

2. Define Spirituality. (Not Religion)

A: “Spirituality is believing that there is a higher power greater than us. In my belief, is

having a relationship with God. Having faith.”

O: She seemed proud to give me that answer. She seemed sure in her response. Her

posture was questioning though. She leaned back and thought about it.

Assessment: I think to define spirituality is difficult and not bring God into it. My

question should have included to note the difference. Can you have Spirituality and not believe

in God?

3. If you have a Religion, what is it? If you do not, A higher power?

A: “I am a Christian; I believe in God, and I believe He sent His son to die in the cross

for our sins and that salvation is obtained through Him. I do not have a religion. Religion is

manmade.”

O: Her facial expressions changed a bit; a questioning look mounted her eyebrows. Sort

of sifting to find a good answer. I think this answer contradicts itself. She claims Christianity but

does not follow it. Christianity according to her answer is manmade. She started to think deeper

about her answers.

A: This question is loaded because no one on this Earth knows what comes after death.

Not one person knows who, what, or when humanity started. Yet her spirituality and faith guide

her in this world of unknown.

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4. When did you become Spiritual, or get away from Spirituality?

A: “When I was a little girl, I experience God without anyone telling me or showing me.”

O: Individuality, strong character and determined. She had some trouble understanding

what I meant with this one. After explaining what I was asking her answer was short and sweet.

A: I wouldn’t change this question because it is meant to make you really think about

what I am asking. Maybe it was a specific moment that there is a feeling of euphoria, or quite the

opposite.

5. Does your Spirituality bleed into your physical fitness?

A: “In a way, yes. Your body, your mind, your soul, and your spirit are all connected.

So, I can’t take care of one while neglecting the other.”

O: Answered the question with confidence.

A: I was looking for more of an example of mindfulness and spirituality, and how they

are connected to our physical health. Where can we see spirituality engage with our body and

work together to heal. A good example is hot yoga.

6. How would you categorize your fitness level?

A: “Intermediate fitness level. Top 5 important things in my life.”

O: Working with Fran, I see everyday that she is active and cares what kind of fuel she

takes into her body. She works out during lunch is enthusiastic about learning.

A: No assessment here.

7. Where in this dimension of wellness and spirituality would you throw in relationships?

A: “My spirituality starts with a relationship; my relationship with God.

O: This question was a to make a connection, between the people around us, a connection

with family, friends and even strangers. How does one’s own spirituality impact with others.
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A: The question should have been, how are relationships affected or created by wellness

and spirituality. I was trying to activate a thought of wellness and spirituality being a cosmic

nebula and relationships being stars and planets.

8. Was there a moment where life made sense? Or are you looking for that moment?

A: “Yes, in my late 20’s when I stopped caring about what others thought of me or how I

should live my life.”

Assessment: I think she answered this question perfectly, but it was more about losing

her ego. I have no rebuttal for this.

9. What can your attitude do to empower others?

“My attitude reflects what I believe in. My attitude can either lift others up or tear them

down. My attitude can attract the right or wrong people into my life. My attitude can make a

day feel like it’s a good day despite its challenges or can make a day be horrible. My attitude can

make me a miserable person or a happy person.”

10. How Selfish are you?

“I am not selfish. I many times put others’ need in front on mines. I care (too much as

people tell me) about others and their needs and I try to help to the best I can. However, I do say

“no” when I need to in order to protect myself and peace, which is not being selfish (in my

opinion).”
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The last two questions are tricky. I am trying to get too a deeper door. Selfishness is a virtue,

because to help someone else, YOU must be mentally able. I think you must be selfish, but not

selfless. I am selfish but, I also give myself in everything I do. Love is my guide and my moral

code is the vehicle. According to a study done about Love by NIH, “Several lines of evidence

support this view that love is not an emotion but motivation and are reviewed elsewhere. Love

also appears to be stronger than sex drive-those rejected by sexual overtures rarely kill

themselves or others. Abandoned lovers sometimes stalk, commit suicide homicide, or fall into

clinical depression.” (2016)

After conducting these interviews, I answered the questions myself, and afterwards I have

been more conscious about my spirituality. According to Mass.gov, “You may find your

spiritual home in your current faith tradition, or you may seek out a different religious

organization. Others may find spirituality in nature or meditation, rather than in a place of

worship. It is less important where you find support for your spiritual side, than it is to find a

spiritual practice that supports you.” (2022)

Thank you for this opportunity, to get out of my comfort zone.

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Sources

Seshadri K. G. (2016). The neuroendocrinology of love. Indian journal of endocrinology and

metabolism, 20(4), 558–563. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.183479

Spiritual wellness. Mass.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved August 13, 2022, from

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/spiritual-wellness