Chapel Service

Colorado National Speedway

June 8, 2019

“Life Tools – A Self Assessment”

Bob Butcher

Kathy and I have been bringing you a series of “Life Tools” in our Chapel/Church messages at each NASCAR K&N Pro Series events this year and this one can be added to the series. The series are free to be passed on to others and meant to be used privately or in a group discussion as you see fit, but as always, free of charge and not meant to cost you financially unless you determine to seek a Christian Counselor in your home town because it is the logical step to your healing and personal growth. With that made completely plain let me continue to today’s Self-Assessment tool.

We have a strong desire to do life well, to maximize our potential, and most importantly to reflect the image of our Creator.

Our minds are powerful, and our thoughts shape who we are and will become. Our life matters! We can change the world! However, it starts with taking care of ourselves and a big part of that is our self help and keeping a peaceful mind between our ears. “As someone thinks within himself, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7

That ALL starts with Christ.

John 10: 9-10

“Yes, I Am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. ¹⁰The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

Coming up I will share about caring for our mind in another Chapel, but for now here are check these out why our mind is so important to care for:

Here are 7 verses about the power of your thoughts and mind:

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” Deuteronomy 30:19

“Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

“God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

-2 Tim. 1: 7.

“I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents up on their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected — even children in the third and fourth generations.” Exodus 34:7

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10

“Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Self-Care Assessment

The following worksheet for assessing self-care is not exhaustive, merely suggestive. Feel free to add areas of self-care that are relevant for you and rate yourself on how often and how well you are taking care of yourself these days.

When you are finished, look for patterns in your responses. Are you more active in some areas of self-care but ignore others? Are there items on the list that make you think, “I would never do that”? Listen to your inner responses, your internal dialogue about self-care and making yourself a priority. Take particular note of anything you would like to include more in your life.

Rate the following areas according to how well you think you are doing:

3 = I do this well (frequently)

2 = I do this OK (occasionally)

1 = I barely or rarely do this

0 = I never do this

? = This never occurred to me

Physical Self-Care

____ Eat regularly (e.g. breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
____ Eat healthily
____ Exercise
____ Get regular medical care for prevention
____ Get medical care when needed
____ Take time off when sick
____ Get massages
____ Dance, swim, walk, run, play sports, sing, or do some other fun physical activity
____ Take time to be sexual with my Wife/Husband if married
____ Get enough sleep
____ Wear clothes I like
____ Take vacations
____ Other ways that apply specifically to you: (note what that is here & score it)

Psychological Self-Care

____ Take day trips or mini-vacations
____ Make time away from telephones, email, and the Internet
____ Make time for self-reflection
____ Notice my inner experience – listen to my thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, feelings
____ Have my own personal psychotherapy
____ Write in a journal
____ Read literature that is unrelated to work
____ Do something at which I am not expert or in charge
____ Attend to minimizing stress in my life
____ Engage my intelligence in a new area, like: go to an art show, sports event, theatre
____ Be curious
____ Say no to extra responsibilities sometimes
____ Other: ways that apply specifically to you: note what that is here & score it)

Emotional Self-Care

____ Spend time with others whose company I enjoy
____ Stay in contact with important people in my life
____ Give myself affirmations, praise myself
____ Love myself
____ Re-read favorite books, re-view favorite movies
____ Identify comforting activities, objects, people, places and seek them out
____ Allow myself to cry (yeah, it’s okay guys)
____ Find things that make me laugh
____ Express my outrage in social action, letters, donations, meetings & legal ways
____ Other ways that apply specifically to you: (note what that is here & score it)

Spiritual Self-Care

____ Make time for reflection
____ Spend time in nature
____ Find a spiritual connection or community church – ask Bob or Kathy for a reference
____ Be open to inspiration
____ Cherish my optimism and hope
____ Be aware of non-material aspects of life
____ Try at times not to be in charge or the expert
____ Be open to not knowing
____ Identify what is meaningful to me and notice its place in my life
____ Meditate on Bible scripture
____ Pray – learn how too – talk with Bob or Kathy
____ Sing
____ Have experiences of awe
____ Contribute to causes in which I believe
____ Read inspirational literature or listen to inspirational talks, music
____ Other ways that apply specifically to you: (note what that is here & score it)

Relationship Self-Care

____ Schedule regular dates with my spouse – if single: group of best friends
____ Schedule regular activities with my children
____ Make time to see friends
____ Call, check on, or see my relatives
____ Spend time with my pets / companion animals
____ Stay in contact with faraway friends
____ Make time to reply to personal emails and letters; send holiday cards
____ Allow others to do things for me
____ Enlarge my social circle
____ Ask for help when I need it
____ Share a fear, hope, or secret with someone I trust
____ Other ways that apply specifically to you: note what that is here & score

Workplace or Professional Self-Care

____ Take a break during the workday (lunch)
____ Take time to chat with co-workers
____ Make quiet time to complete tasks
____ Identify projects or tasks that are exciting and rewarding
____ Set limits with clients and colleagues
____ Balance my caseload so that no one day or part of a day is “too much”
____ Arrange work space so it is comfortable and comforting
____ Get regular supervision or consultation
____ Negotiate for my needs (benefits, pay raise)
____ Have a peer support group
____ (If relevant) Develop a non-trauma area of professional interest
____ other ways that apply specifically to you: note what that is here & score)

Overall Balance

____ Strive for balance within my work-life and work day
____ Strive for balance among work, family, relationships, play, and rest

Other Areas of Self-Care that are Relevant to You (Note them here & score

____

Adapted from our YWAM Salem Pastoral Care Group: Amy VanSickle and Linda Ardelean

Wording and additions: Bob Butcher