Prompt 1: 

(Emotional Intelligence Instruments)  Reflect on what you learned about the concept of

emotional intelligence based on what you read in your textbook and online.  Based on
your results with the EI tools, what would you consider to be your strengths and
weaknesses with respect to emotional intelligence?  Discuss the concept with a loved
one, friend, or trusted colleague.  What are their perceptions with respect to your self-
appraisal?

I think one of my strengths is the ability to take some criticism as a steppingstone to a

better version of myself. In high school, I was not the best at receiving any sort of
constructive feedback and it would make me very emotional, but I have grown since
then. I have become a mother since then. Everyone has their own opinions on how to
mother and I have had to learn to not take anything personal when others are talking
about the way I parent my boys. But with that being said, I do stress a lot in certain
situations. Being back in school has given me a lot of anxiety because of the amount of
homework, the deadlines, my work schedule, the need to still be a mother, and also
going through a divorce. I have a lot on my plate and am overwhelmed quite a bit, but I
still know how to disconnect and reflect on my growth and where I have come from. I
also keep my goal in mind to build a better life for my kids and I and that helps keep me
going.

I discussed my strengths and weaknesses with my mother. She believes that my stress
and anxiety are two of my biggest weaknesses that I need to continue to work on. She
believes that my ability to not be passive anymore has become a strength for me. I used
to let anyone walk all over me and never say when I was upset. But I have learned to
have those healthy conversations so there is never bad blood between me and another
person.

Prompt 2:
(Radical Experiment in Empathy Video)  What did you think of the "Radical Experiment
in Empathy" video? Were you able to “step outside of your thoughts and behavioral
patterns” and reserve a part of your mental capacity to “listen” to and monitor your
internal reactions as a means of gaining a deeper insight into the nature of yourself? 
What’s your perspective on this notion of “self-awareness” in the present moment as a
tool to learn more about yourself?  Was this “radical experiment” an effective one in
terms of helping you understand the concept of empathy?

I believe this video was very enlightening. It was very difficult to watch because of the
topic of discussion, but I also thought the example of war is a great way to get people to
imagine what it feels like on the other side. I have military parents and family members,
and this was a great way for me to view the other side. I was able to imagine my family
being in Iraq and my parents being a part of the Iraq citizens fighting back. I can see
why it may be hard for some people to see the opposite view because of their mental
capacity not being able to stop and get outside of their thoughts. I have a tendency to
have wandering thoughts, but the topic of war is one I take seriously. This exercise was
a great way to see the different emotions I would have in different situations. I think of
myself as an empath, and I usually feel what others are feeling just by being around
them or reading a post of theirs on social media. I think if more people were more
empathetic, we would have less violence in the world.