My Reported Progress with Mindful Practice on Wicked Problems as a Young Adult
I believe that I have had an innate sense of awareness in what a “wicked”
problem is and how I may contribute to the ecological footprint of the globe since I
began learning about sustainability at a young age. When I would do chores for my
mother at a young age, I would often wonder, “ Where does this trash that I am taking
out to the curb end up? I am aware that the garbage man picks it up when he does his
rounds, but what does that afterlife consist of? Furthermore, what is the process
difference with the recycling that stands tall next to it?” This was a spark on mindfulness
that my young brain began exemplifying due to curiosity.
I have had a passion for sustainability since I was introduced to the “Triple-R”
concept in grade school, as this repetition melted the benefits of personal sustainability
into my brain righteously, and made me want to do all I could to help the betterment of
Mother Earth. But, as a child, my ability to understand how large some concepts were,
were faulty and I was too immature. Everybody is guilty of contributing to mass
industrialization in some shape or form. Being able to accept that all people are imperfect
and we must only try our best to reverse effects of the past is the first step in undoing the
harm that humans have contributed to the environment.
Wicked Problems of Industrial Practice has furthered my education and knowledge
of these issues by connecting mindfulness and wellbeing to present wicked matters.
Taking breathes and reconfiguring what my motives are and what choices I may have in
a situation is the process of being mindful. Not only does this help a person make better
ultimate decisions, it can put an individual at ease and contribute to less stress in the
body. Staying calm and aware is the best version of oneself self that they can be because
they are thinking with the utmost capacity. These past few weeks every once in awhile
when I am hard hit to make a decision, I reminisce on Professor Martinez’s explanations
of meditation and deep-thought consideration, and these steps of mindfulness played
a large role in my stability of inner peace.
I feel as if I am being taught real mindfulness at the perfect age, freshly an adult
and able to see what direct consequences my actions have.This also makes it easier to
identify whether or not I should make some choices and if I have the capacity to. Now
that I am living on my own at college, I must always do my own chores and clean up after
myself. Often I do not notice until the end of the day how many things I pick up, move
around, and throw away. I also must consider the ripples I cause when I am wandering
outside of my dorm as well.
Intellectually, I believe the factor that I have and will struggle with most in my continuation
of mindful practice is my short memory. But, I found that this can be easily fixed with some
alarms and reminders. My next step was to consider a schedule for mindful work and
decision-making. Setting aside time to ponder life and a current position can help with
organizing a brain visual list of considerable solutions.
Emotionally, I feel more stable and less spiractic on a daily basis. Being a moody teenage
girl, while it may not be true, life feels pretty overwhelming when in comes to my
feelings. I react pretty strongly to even the tiniest of events, but I work hard to show my
thickest of skin before that happens. Being mindful of myself and my surroundings puts me
at peace because I know that I am trying my best and that is all I can do.
Somatically, I feel less tense and more focused on my everyday activity. One of my
favorite methods of meditating is lying down in my bed and getting in as much thought as
I can before I fall asleep. My body is in an ultimate comfort state, so I can carefully focus
on my thoughts rather than be distracted by physical abnormalities. One of the cons of
doing this is many people forget their nightly train-of-thought the following morning, and
so I like to keep a handy pen and pad near me in case I want to remember an idea.
Physical relaxation is necessary for emotional and intellectual relaxation.
I have found that meditation and therapy helps me the most because of the constant
stream of beneficial monologue and dialogue. Finding what’s best for the individual is
necessary, because preferences most of the time determine if a mindful activity is hit or
miss.
. What about mindfulness of specifically Wicked Problems? One may ponder on
possible set solutions for a lifetime and still not find the answer. But that’s why they are
given their name afterall, finding a fix is not simple. I believe when it comes to issues like
this that motives begin as individual efforts, and then expand to ideals that are agreeable
with others in society, often resulting in the formation of environmental groups. As this
growth reaches a max capacity, it will become more difficult to get everyone to agree on
one concept. I do not see the entire globe converting to an environmental-over-industrial
economy in my lifetime sadly, and so I will do what I can to uphold my standards and goals.
Doing the best one can do individually satisfies morality and makes them feel good about
accomplishing something bigger than themselves.
My personal favorite mindful practice that I have begun and kept up with is my
assignment and activity schedule that I created on my technological devices. I am always
notified when I have an academic or personal necessary date to attend, and this puts my
mind at ease as I do not have many feelings of being excluded nor missing important
meetings. I believe having a macro, and multiple micro schedules for passions can help
one stay involved and flourish to their fullest potentials with ease. This preparation leaves
more time for improving one’s mindfulness.
In my dorm, I now have a recycling bin for both my roommate and I to use. We agreed
that I will crush and take out the trash if she does the dishes in bulk to save water. I sure
am glad that she and I are able to agree! We have also taken time to share our schedules,
which includes meditation in the dorm, and so we may not disturb one another. Discussing
and coming to conclusions feels good and we are able to be mindful of ourselves and each
other.
On a larger scale, I try to stay involved as much as possible, but set aside time for personal
care. On campus, I am practically around people anytime I am not in my dorm room.
As an introvert, it can be difficult to face large periods of time without breaks. Finding a
mindful balance is what I am currently experimenting with. It depends on the situation,
but I do not want to push myself, nor do I want to reject what great opportunities I have
to cooperate in. Notifying clubs and operations in advance if I feel too worn out is a new fear
I have faced, but one that I must have faced eventually if I am to be mindful of my health
and ability.
I plan to carry many of these methods of sustainability past college and beyond.