“The Personal Foundations competency area involves the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to maintain emotional, physical, social, environmental, relational, spiritual, and intellectual wellness; be self-directed and self-reflective; maintain excellence and integrity in work; be comfortable with ambiguity; be aware of one's own areas of strength and growth; have a passion for work; and remain curious.”

I have been working on finding harmony between myself, my relationships, and my work since entering the College Student Personnel Program at BGSU. I have been working on recognizing the contributions I can make to the profession and to my relationships, along side this I have been working to take steps to add fulfillment to my life, clarifying my own values and recognizing the contributions and others’ has led to my proficiency in the personal foundations competency area.

Activity 1: Holistic Wellness
I have discovered that of the course of the past two years the better I care for myself the better I can care for others and the happier I am. I have become an avid gym user, going to the gym each morning has provided me with more energy then I have ever had. I have began to have a true passion for fitness and my overall physical health. Awareness of my body has lead to me loving myself more, this positive body image has been essential in my confidence in my school and internship work as well. I feel that I am becoming the person I have wanted to be. I am also engaging in spiritual exploration. As I explore faith, I am finding myself in a place of harmony. I have learned the importance of reflecting on my experiences in both my personal and professional life and finding ways in which I can be my authentic self in both realms.

Activity 2: Commitments
Always one to be loyal and genuine staying true to commitments to myself and others has always been important to me. My personal beliefs guide me to value relationships above all else and it is from relationships that I find my greatest happiness. This personal belief has been tested over the course of this year. My partner and I got engaged in November, which has sparked my commitment to relocate to the San Diego area. My partner is in the Navy and stationed in San Diego. I recognize that this decision has limited the scope of my job search, however with each day I become more committed and comfortable with my decision to be locationally bound. This commitment to my beliefs, happiness, and my relationship has helped me to understand the central importance of putting myself first, and learning to let go of feeling self about such a decision. I have integrated the beliefs of others, my family and my fiance, into my decision to put myself first in my job search rather than my career. However, I do not underestimate myself and know that I will find the right position for me in San Diego. A position that continues to help me grow in my personal beliefs, values, attitudes, and commitments.