Assignment 3 PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS 1. I believe that all people need a philosophy about life to have some type of guidance.

I think the problems in the world today are a manifestation of many people who lack guiding beliefs, attitudes, and values. Without a philosophy one becomes lost and its evident in nonproductive living and lifestyle. Having a personal philosophy in life acts as a beacon of light. Some times life is clear and all is well and it may seem like your beacon does not give off a very noticeable or necessary light. But other times, life is like a stormy sea, dark and impossible to navigate. The stormy seas of life are the times when your beacon can shine and guide you to safety and happiness. Having a philosophy is much the same and provides light when most needed. The personal philosophy that I formulated is as follows: To become a great husband, father, and leader so that I can inspire, encourage, motivate and educate my family and others. I will do this by being charitable, humble, service oriented, and work diligently to master my thoughts and words and to live a life worth emulation. 2. Personal and professional philosophies are nearly synonymous in my mind. The two philosophies are meant to go hand in hand one building off the other. As stated previously a philosophy is a guide and to have two separate guides that contradicted each other would lead to confusion and failure in at least one philosophy if not both.

The way I conduct my professional life is a direct reflection on who and what kind of person I am outside of work. Equally important, how I conduct my personal life reflects on how I run my professional life. Naturally my personal philosophy will influence my professional philosophy with the exception that health is not a moral issue. Health not being a moral issue can pose some difficulties for some in the profession if they lose sight of trying to improve the health of everyone they serve and fixate on moral issues. The purpose of health promotion is to impart knowledge, programs, and methods of healthy living to those who dont understand or have access to the same. Health is the balance between mind, body, and spirit and to be able to do and accomplish the things a person wants to emotionally, physically, spiritually, intellectually, environmentally, and socially. The definition of health is subjective for each person because we as humans are all different and have varying talents, capabilities and limitations. The purpose of health promotion is to enable and inspire others to balance all the dimensions of health. An overwhelming underserved population in the U.S and the world has need for these basic fundamentals of life. I have a desire to work in all the dimensions of health on an international level with the emphasis on individuals, families, groups, and villages. To accomplish this I feel that three main health philosophies are most appropriate for where I would like to work and with whom I would be working, they are: behavior-change, cognitive, and decision making. I think these three philosophies complement each other and naturally progress a person with health issues toward wellness in the following manner: 1. Help the patient recognize Negative health behaviors and how

they affect themselves and others. 2. Help them admit change is needed 3. Help them see and understand the benefits of change 4. Help them make a firm commitment to goals and/or contracts to change. I value service, diligence, and hard work, because it builds others and myself. This is what gives me purpose and makes me feel worthwhile.

3. I would like to use a common health problem that I came across on my various trips to Afghanistan as an illustration on how to implement three of the health promotion philosophies. A common health problem that exists in Afghanistan among many other countries are that individuals or families does not regularly brush their teeth. These persons may already be experiencing the negative affects on health that come with not brushing regularly or they may not have experienced it yet. If the individual or family had not recognized for themselves the negative health implications that are associated with not brushing I would start there. I would use the decision-making philosophy to help them understand the effects that not brushing your teeth can have on yourself and also affect your family. For those who are already suffering from health problems associated to not brushing this process is much easier to illustrate and understand. Next I would help them understand the need for change and help them admit that. I would follow up then with the benefits and positive outcomes

that will happen for them as an individual and collectively as a family upon making this change. I would also blend in the cognitive philosophy and provide the individual or family with information and statistics so that they are better informed to make a decision. Last, I would use the behaviorchange philosophy to make a firm commitment with them in the form of goals or a contract. Just as important as the above steps I would keep in close touch with the individual or family and continue to encourage and follow up with them regularly.