Capstone wk2

2.2 Discussion: Capstone Project Implementation

Getting Started

Ready. Set. Action. Or, you could say, brainstorm, research, study, plan, revise, write some more, brainstorm again, prototype, and implement. 

When you began this program, you explored a number of ideas that interested you. During the program, you conducted research in your respective fields of Life Coaching and I/O along with foundational concepts and theories related to positive psychology.

As you are implementing your project, think about all that you have learned. Stop for a moment, take a deep breath and thank God for where you’ve come from in life and in this program.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Implement your Capstone Project.

Background Information

Now it is time to take what you have learned, what you have discovered and what you have planned and put it into action. Whether you are implementing an I/O nonprofit project, a creative work, a Life Coaching approach, or any other concept or model that you have developed, you will be taking the next steps of putting your new knowledge into the real world. 

Instructions

1. Begin to implement your project based on your Implementation Plan.

2. Write about your capstone journey and the current process you are experiencing. Share the joys, frustrations, and barriers you are facing.

3. Write 3-4 paragraphs that share the details of your week with others in the class by the fourth day of the workshop.

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FAITH AND MOTHERHOOD 4

Faith and Motherhood

My TED Talk will be about faith and motherhood. It will discuss faith's role in motherhood, particularly concerning the uncertainty that comes with early motherhood. It will explore the role of faith when raising a child, from birth to teenage years, and even as an adult.

I chose to have this topic because it is something I have experienced as a mother. One of the thoughts that would always plague me was whether I would do right by my children. I was always concerned about their safety. I even cried when it was time for my son to go to school. My biggest concern was protection. I was constantly worried that I would get a call that something had happened to my child. This worry intensified as my son and daughter entered high school, and it became much worse as they advanced into life. I would want to explore how having faith, even though a mother cannot see it at the time, can help ease some of this uncertainty.

One of the positive psychology elements that I would like to incorporate is faith as a coping mechanism to deal with stress. Positive psychology highlights the role of optimism, hope, and purpose in enhancing mental well-being, particularly during uncertain times (Carr et al., 2021). This is something that faith can provide. In addition, having a clear sense of purpose, an essential aspect of positive psychology, helps people find meaning in their experiences. Faith can imbue the journey of motherhood with a deeper purpose, supporting a mother's resilience through each stage of her child's development (Carr et al., 2021). This can benefit many mothers out there who listen to my TED Talk.

I am thinking about challenging myself for this assignment. I want to use a YouTube Presentation, which I can record with help from a few tech-savvy friends. This will give me the best way to express my points while practicing my on-camera skills. I also look forward to practicing for the TED talk and learning to express myself best during the conversation.

References

Carr, A., Cullen, K., Keeney, C., Canning, C., Mooney, O., Chinseallaigh, E., & O'Dowd, A. (2021). Effectiveness of positive psychology interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  The journal of positive psychology,  16(6), 749-769.

2.3 Discussion: The Good Life Synthesis Paper

Getting Started

In Workshop One, you reflected on your Personal Reflection Journal entries from throughout the program. You also watched a TED talk about the Good Life and read about the longest research study in American history related to well-being and happiness. In this assignment, you will continue to reflect on concepts in positive psychology, philosophy and the Christian faith that inform your developing philosophy and approach to what it means to lead a good life. 

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Synthesize core aspects of what the Good Life means to you.

Background Information

Continue to build on your Reflection Journal Summary and the beginnings of your Synthesis paper from Workshop One. You will need to do additional research related to The Good Life and incorporate your findings in a draft due in this assignment. The final synthesis paper is due in Workshop Four.    

Instructions

1. Refer to your  Personal Reflection Journal Summary,  Capstone and  TED Talk Journal entries, other course work, and the paper from Workshop Assignment 1.4, as needed.

2. Open the  Good Life Synthesis Paper that you started for Assignment 1.4. In a six to eight-page paper, add to your previous work by completing the remaining sections of the outline. Identify key lessons learned throughout the program as you continue to develop your own ideas around what the Good Life means to you. Conduct additional research as needed related to positive psychology and the Good Life; you should have tremendous resources from your previous coursework that you can also look back on.

3. According to the  Good Life Synthesis Paper Outline (Word document) , be sure to provide a title page, an introduction, a summary of your journals, additional content with in-text citations in the body of the paper, a conclusion to your paper, and a reference page.

4. You will need to cite additional sources according to APA formatting. By the end of Workshop 4, when your final paper is due, you will need to include at least 10 sources on a reference page, so, build on the two that you used in Workshop 1 for this assignment and include at least six sources.

2.1 Discussion: The Thin Silence of God

Getting Started

In this workshop assignment, you will continue to reflect on another portion of the documentary  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy. As you continue the implementation of your own Capstone Project, you will find insight into the dynamics of what it means to follow through with your plan, the challenges that you encounter along the hero’s journey, and the resolve and grit it takes.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Integrate biblical principles with positive psychology concepts.

Background Information

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ( New International Version, 1978/2011,  1 Kings 19:12-13 (new tab) )

God comes to us in many ways and through a diverse set of experiences. There are times when He may need to shout, to get our attention through a crisis or overwhelming set of circumstances. But more often than not, I believe God speaks to us as He did with Elijah, in a ‘gentle whisper’, or a ‘thin silence’ as some translators suggest. And in order to hear God in the silence, we must be able to quiet our lives and hearts down a bit, to find the space to listen.

In this week’s clips of  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh, you will listen to and watch the first two segments of my creative journey to get my laugh back and discern my calling. You will follow me to Michigan behind the scenes of a movie and to Kentucky behind the doors of a monastery and into the silence.

Instructions

1. Take brief notes as you watch and listen to  segment 2 (5:19-8:23 and segment 3 (8:23:13:20) clips from the video from  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy:

2. Reflect on 1 Kings 19:12-13 and the videos.

3. Steal away for 15 minutes or even a few moments and sit in stillness and silence. Listen to the thin silence of God. 

4. Write down anything that comes to mind.

5. Formulate your reflections, prayers, and thoughts into a discussion post that includes the following in two paragraphs (200 words).

a. A paragraph summary of your notes on key points from the documentary.

b. Reflection on the verses mentioned and what you heard in the thin silence as you respond to the following question: When have you heard God’s voice clearly or struggled to hear His voice in the past?   

6. Your postings should also:

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.

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REFINING MY TED-TALK 4

Refining My TED-Talk

Summarize the topic of your TED-style talk in one sentence:

The topic of my TED-style talk is, "The Power of Faith in Motherhood: How God Can Be an Anchor in Motherhood."

Outline Of The TED-Style Talk

I. Introduction: The Uncertainty of Motherhood

A. Personal Story: I will share a personal story concerning my time in motherhood. The particular story I want to share is how doubtful I was when I first became a mother. I will also talk about how this did not change after I became a second-time mother, as a friend had shared the sentiment, "Children are like pancakes. The rest can turn out great, but you have to apologize to the first one."

B. The Role of Faith: Introduce the idea of faith as a stabilizing force for mothers dealing with the uncertainties of motherhood. That relying on God is the way to successful marriages.

II. Main Point 1: Faith as a Coping Mechanism in Stressful Times

A. The Impact of Stress in Motherhood: Here, I will talk about the many stresses of motherhood.

B. Faith as a Source of Resilience: Here, I will expound on God's love and speak on how it translates to motherhood.

III. Main Point 2: The Role of Faith in Building Purpose and Meaning

A. Purpose in Parenthood: Explore how faith helps mothers see their role in a broader, more meaningful context. Here I will talk about God's purpose for motherhood.

B. Finding Strength Through Purpose: Discuss how a clear sense of purpose, supported by faith, enables mothers to endure and stay positive even during challenging moments.

IV. Main Point 3: Optimism, Hope, and Trust in God's Plan

A. Optimism Rooted in Faith: Since motherhood is shrouded in uncertainty, optimism can be very helpful in this situation.

B. Hope for the Future: I will also talk about God's plan for children and the future, with the key verse being Jeremiah 29:11.

V. Conclusion: Call to Action

Here, I will encourage listeners to lean on their faith as an anchor in their motherhood journey, trusting that God will provide the guidance and strength they need. I will also provide actionable steps, such as prayer, scripture reading, or seeking community support, to bring peace and purpose into their parenting.

What is your chosen delivery format for the TED-type talk?

The mode of delivery I have chosen is a YouTube presentation. I will be recording it with the help of a few friends.

What equipment, software, consultation, or learning do you need to acquire before the end of this course in order to start building developing your actual talk? Again, be specific about both how you intend to acquire these resources and how you intend to use them.

I might need a smartphone with a good camera, microphone, lighting, cue cards, proper lighting, and video editing software.

What steps will you need to take in order to secure those resources before the end of the course? Provide a timetable for when you will acquire them.

I have begun approaching a few friends to help me with this endeavor. In addition, my church sound team does a fantastic job producing their vignettes. I intend to approach them to help me in this endeavor.

What other help do you need from your instructor that would enable you to start developing your talk at the start of the next course?

After drafting it, I will also need my professor to help make the discussion more attractive. I also need the professor's help reviewing my work and ensuring that it is of good quality and does not stray far from the initial message.

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CLARIFYING MY CAPSTONE PROJECT 4

Clarifying My Capstone Project

My capstone project is titled, “Empowering Christian Women in the African-American Community to Cultivate Purpose, Potential, and Identity through Faith-Based Life Coaching.” the project aims to integrate life coaching principles, positive psychology, and the Bible to help women cultivate purpose, potential, and identity. It aims to start by identifying the narratives and sources of limiting beliefs among women and breaking these limiting beliefs with Biblical truths. To do this, I will host a group of women for six weeks to tackle these elements. We will also be using the PERMA model to create a holistic approach to finding purpose, potential, and identity.

My target audience is the women in my community, with the choice being a group of African-American women in my church. They are of diverse ages, ranging from 25 to 45. The main reason why I chose them was because they were geographically close to me. I also chose them because we have rapport and it was easy to begin a program with them. In addition, since we are in the same church community, I understand their challenges, which can help us engage and connect more easily.

The specific need I am trying to meet is addressing identity confusion and a lack of purpose among African-American women. Tenets like social media, movies, television shows, and cultural narratives have brought so much confusion to the identity of the contemporary African-American woman. I intend to use this project to find ways to use positive psychology, the Bible, and life coaching to uplift African-American women to newer heights and to help them know that there is more to their lives and identity than what is portrayed in the media. I want to show these women that they have value in God and that they can become more than they are visually imagining.

I had initially created a six-week program with meetings once a week. However, upon revision of the timeline, I shall have to do two sessions per week. In the first week, I intend to establish rapport and guide the women through the VIA assessment tool. This can be done in the first two sessions of the meeting. In the first session of the second week, we can then explore the idea of limiting beliefs and understanding how media and societal narratives impact how these women think. In the three remaining sessions, we can explore the topics of purpose, identity, and potential. Each week, we will look at each of these tenets to see what God says about them and what goals we can establish to guarantee that we grow in these three areas.

My intended action points align closely with life coaching principles and positive psychology. For one, the action points are goal-oriented. Life coaching insists on setting and achieving goals to achieve personal and professional growth. I am leveraging a fundamental life coaching principle- transformational goal setting- by helping participants identify and overcome limiting beliefs and setting goals in areas like purpose, identity, and potential. In addition, the PERMA model and strength-based approach are all closely related to positive psychology.

My project is heavily reliant on my literature review. It takes insights from my literature review to help me understand what limiting beliefs exist. The literature review helped me understand the root causes of the limiting beliefs and how Biblical approaches can be used to overcome them. It provided me with evidence-based strategies that I can leverage, such as the impact of the strength-based approach and the value of Biblical tenets. With this, I know how to guide the discussion on limiting beliefs. I also know how to discuss identity, purpose, and potential from a Biblical perspective.

I will be conducting this project from a warm, intimate setting. I began having weekly meetings with these individuals to get to know them and establish rapport. I intend to continue with this measure, hoping they will agree to meet twice weekly for three weeks.

One of the major resources I need is guidance on leading the conversation. I want to ensure the project is successful, so my communication needs to be on par. In addition, I hope to find time for this endeavor and be consistent. I do not want to be a leader who is constantly canceling meetings. I want to be present and available for these women, meaning I need to treat time as a resource. In addition, I also need financial resources. I am planning on having beverages and snacks as part of these meetings. These items are not cheap, and I hope I can consistently provide them.

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USING GRATITUDE IN MY SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT 5

Using Gratitude in My Spiritual Development

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The practice of utilizing gratitude is an integral part of growth. You cannot truly progress unless you accept all you have achieved. Showing gratitude acts as the backbone for spiritual and personal development. I have been actively trying to implement measures to help me use gratitude for my spiritual and personal development. One of the measures I have taken is practicing daily gratitude journaling. I enjoy having quiet time early in the morning (Dunaetz & Lanum, 2020). This allows me to interact with God through prayer and read His word in solitude before everyone is up. I have added a daily gratitude section as part of my quiet time, noting ten things I am grateful for. This has helped me change my perspective on life, where instead of looking for what I should complain to God about, I look for things I should thank God for. It has been a beneficial practice as I am now looking for positive things in my family and friends that I can write about in my journal.

I have also embraced a new approach to prayer. Before, my prayer time was mainly clouded by things I needed God to intervene in. One morning, during my quiet meditation, it dawned on me after reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that I rarely showed God any gratitude for what He had done. This inspired me to keep a prayer journal in addition to my gratitude journal (Dunaetz & Lanum, 2020). This was where I would note what I wanted God to do for me and review it once a week to determine what God had answered. I also embraced the ACTS approach to prayer (Prusak et al., 2021). This is where I begin with Acknowledgment, which is praising God and honoring Him in His role over my life (Knabb et al., 2023). I then proceed to Confession, where I confess my sins and ask for forgiveness from my Father in heaven. I then proceed to Thanksgiving, where I appreciate God for answering the prayers I gave Him and all I have gotten this year. I then conclude with Supplication, where I lay my burdens and needs to Christ for Him to deal with (Dunaetz & Lanum, 2020). This approach has been constructive, as I now embrace thanksgiving in my prayer life more often.

Another action I have taken is to show gratitude to others. I have learned to reach out to my friends and say thank you to them for being in my life. I learned this after I saw a post on a friend's WhatsApp status that read, "Don't wait until they're dead so you can give them their flowers." This quote brought me back to when my Father was alive and I realized that while he knew I loved Him, I never communicated it as often as I should have. I should have told him I loved him a lot more and that thought put a tear in my eye. I realized I needed to appreciate the people in my life more (Dunaetz & Lanum, 2020). This made me more vulnerable with my husband, children, friends, and extended family. I learned to show them love, enjoy them, and appreciate them for the love they show me.

These steps have had a significant impact on my life. For one, I have learned that God is faithful to His word and even when it may look like He is not working, when you keep close track, He is doing more than you can even imagine (Knabb et al., 2023). This has been my testimony, and being grateful has shown me what the Lord is doing. I now realize that my Father in Heaven has my best interest at heart, and this revelation has blessed me.

I have also learned the value of appreciating friendships, which has made me a better person. Gratitude has helped me see that differing views do not always mean the other person is wrong. It simply means we disagree on this particular issue, which is fine. This has truly helped me grow as an individual.

References

Dunaetz, D. R., & Lanum, P. (2020). What forms of gratitude expression are most appreciated? Applications for Christian leaders.  Journal of Applied Christian Leadership,  14(1), 55-70.

Knabb, J. J., Vazquez, V. E., Wang, K. T., & Pate, R. A. (2023). The Christian Gratitude Scale: An emic approach to measuring thankfulness in every season of life.  Spirituality in Clinical Practice,  10(4), 304.

Prusak, J., Kwapis, K., Pilecka, B., Chemperek, A., Krawczyk, A., Jabłoński, M., & Nowakowski, K. (2021). The quality of life, meaning in life, positive orientation to life and gratitude of Catholic seminarians in Poland: A comparative analysis.  Archive for the Psychology of Religion,  43(1), 78-94.