ON LIFE SKILLS
From the Oxford dictionary definition of life as “the period from birth to death” and skills as “practical knowledge” or “the power and ability to do something”, one can define life-skills as practical knowledge and techniques on how to deal and cope with the various life-experiences, issues, problems and challenges that individuals face from childhood to adulthood. This refers to practical knowledge about how to address bodily (physical\ physiological), mental (psychological), spiritual (and psychic) and emotional needs of human beings of which fulfillment enables individuals to live their life to the fullest and to function well in society.
Having life-skills can therefore be conceptualized as possessing the power and ability to keep the body, mind, soul and heart in good shape and to maintain the balance between the needs, wellness and wellbeing of the body, the mind, the soul, and the heart. In other words, life-skills are meant to give one the power and ability to maintain equilibrium between physical\physiological, mental\psychological, spiritual\psychic and emotional needs and wellness\wellbeing. This requires having an understanding and knowledge of the fact that in the same way that a balanced and nutritious diet, physical exercise, sleep and leisure-time are needed to keep the body in good shape, reading, learning, reflecting, pondering, thinking, listening to music; appreciating arts; and praying, meditating, worshipping; and giving, caring, loving and being compassionate (etc) are necessary to keep the mind, soul and heart in proper shape.
In this sense, life-skills can also be articulated as possessing knowledge about the specific and generic environments and forms of nourishment and sustenance required for the growth, development and sustenance of the body, the mind, the soul and the heart. Life-skills are about making wise and intelligent choices about the situations and environments you position yourself in, the activities you get involved in, the caliber of people you surround yourself with, the kind of music you listen to, the kind of books you read, the type films you watch, the sort of food you eat and the forms of relaxation and entertainment you choose. Life-skills should therefore equip the individual with information, knowledge and wisdom about making appropriate choices and taking relevant and correct actions under various life-experiences and in various natural and social environments.
Thus, life-skills education should be an integral part of life-long process of learning and personal development. This should be grounded on a holistic approach to personal development that takes into cognizance the fact that the interrelationship and interdependence between the body, the mind, the soul and the heart is such that there is interconnect-ness between physical, mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Life-skills are therefore about the willingness and courage to explore and get in terms with ones strengths and weaknesses and then tap, harness and control and channel these strengths and weaknesses innovatively, creatively and constructively to engage with natural and social phenomena. They are about the willingness, power and ability to apply ones intellect and mind to natural and social conditions and experiences.
Life-skills are also about accepting and embracing change, diversity, difference, conflict and uncertainty as a part and parcel of life. They are about taking responsibility for managing the changes taking place in your life and in you environment. They are about being ready to reach out and understand the position and perspective of the other so as to be able to deal creatively and constructively with difference, diversity and conflict.
Ultimately, life-skills are about preparedness to adapt, change, transform and reconstruct the self and the environment so as to be able to cope with the realities of living in an ever-changing world. You can have access to the best education and most updated information and to the best books and excellent resource-centers and amenities. But without the personal effort and commitment to improve and develop yourself as a person, there is no way you are going to improve and enhance your life-skills. The most effective way of improving your skills is by being at active and initiative in every setting you find yourself in.
To make arrangements relating to performance poetry, life-skills-coaching and workshop- facilitation, you can contact Mphutlane Wa Bofelo at mobile phone: 076 5586 123
Work telephone: 031 306 2427 Facsimile: 031 304 6335
E-Mail: moshanyanawazamdela@yahoo.com or bofelo33@yahoo.com or
Visit Bofelo's blog for intellectually inspiring discussions @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socialistpartyofazania
Having life-skills can therefore be conceptualized as possessing the power and ability to keep the body, mind, soul and heart in good shape and to maintain the balance between the needs, wellness and wellbeing of the body, the mind, the soul, and the heart. In other words, life-skills are meant to give one the power and ability to maintain equilibrium between physical\physiological, mental\psychological, spiritual\psychic and emotional needs and wellness\wellbeing. This requires having an understanding and knowledge of the fact that in the same way that a balanced and nutritious diet, physical exercise, sleep and leisure-time are needed to keep the body in good shape, reading, learning, reflecting, pondering, thinking, listening to music; appreciating arts; and praying, meditating, worshipping; and giving, caring, loving and being compassionate (etc) are necessary to keep the mind, soul and heart in proper shape.
In this sense, life-skills can also be articulated as possessing knowledge about the specific and generic environments and forms of nourishment and sustenance required for the growth, development and sustenance of the body, the mind, the soul and the heart. Life-skills are about making wise and intelligent choices about the situations and environments you position yourself in, the activities you get involved in, the caliber of people you surround yourself with, the kind of music you listen to, the kind of books you read, the type films you watch, the sort of food you eat and the forms of relaxation and entertainment you choose. Life-skills should therefore equip the individual with information, knowledge and wisdom about making appropriate choices and taking relevant and correct actions under various life-experiences and in various natural and social environments.
Thus, life-skills education should be an integral part of life-long process of learning and personal development. This should be grounded on a holistic approach to personal development that takes into cognizance the fact that the interrelationship and interdependence between the body, the mind, the soul and the heart is such that there is interconnect-ness between physical, mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Life-skills are therefore about the willingness and courage to explore and get in terms with ones strengths and weaknesses and then tap, harness and control and channel these strengths and weaknesses innovatively, creatively and constructively to engage with natural and social phenomena. They are about the willingness, power and ability to apply ones intellect and mind to natural and social conditions and experiences.
Life-skills are also about accepting and embracing change, diversity, difference, conflict and uncertainty as a part and parcel of life. They are about taking responsibility for managing the changes taking place in your life and in you environment. They are about being ready to reach out and understand the position and perspective of the other so as to be able to deal creatively and constructively with difference, diversity and conflict.
Ultimately, life-skills are about preparedness to adapt, change, transform and reconstruct the self and the environment so as to be able to cope with the realities of living in an ever-changing world. You can have access to the best education and most updated information and to the best books and excellent resource-centers and amenities. But without the personal effort and commitment to improve and develop yourself as a person, there is no way you are going to improve and enhance your life-skills. The most effective way of improving your skills is by being at active and initiative in every setting you find yourself in.
To make arrangements relating to performance poetry, life-skills-coaching and workshop- facilitation, you can contact Mphutlane Wa Bofelo at mobile phone: 076 5586 123
Work telephone: 031 306 2427 Facsimile: 031 304 6335
E-Mail: moshanyanawazamdela@yahoo.com or bofelo33@yahoo.com or
Visit Bofelo's blog for intellectually inspiring discussions @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socialistpartyofazania
posted by Rose Mokhosi at
11:11 AM
