Final Reflection

As I look back on my four years at UNC-Charlotte, I am very pleased with the progress I have made toward self-actualization, and I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue these ideas and formulate my results in essay format. I have put countless hours into this project and I am excited to share my findings. When thinking about Maslow’s concept of self-actualization being the final frontier, it is important to remember that it is a process. One can only achieve self-actualization after moving through the previous four levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: physiological, safety, love and belongingness, and esteem. Prior to attending UNC-Charlotte, I had completed the basic physiological and safety needs because of my middle-class background. Throughout this reflective essay, I have given examples of my progress through the Hierarchy of Needs with the assistance of nine artifacts. These artifacts are essential in portraying the shift that has taken place in my life. I once was content with the status quo, but now my end goal is self-actualization.

 

The main artifact used to demonstrate my movement through the level of love and belongingness needs was the first picture of my girlfriend, Ally, and me. I once had trouble forming meaningful relationships because I refused to open up and share my true feelings. I was much more comfortable keeping everything to myself because of my emotional insecurities. Through my relationship with Ally, I have been forced to be more open with my feelings. I’ve had to learn how to manage a relationship with someone who lives 750 miles away, and it has been a very valuable experience. This is one of the main reasons I found the love and belongingness.

 

My Body Image Autobiography form HONR 3700: Body Image is a primary example of trying to meet the esteem needs of my life. Before attending UNC-Charlotte and trying to achieve self-actualization, I did not have very high self-esteem. I was not very comfortable in my own skin and I was afraid of sharing my opinion, especially if it was about a controversial subject. My Body Image Autobiography helps show how I have worked to overcome and eventually meet these esteem needs. In the Autobiography, I had to open up and discuss what I like and dislike about my body, something I would never do prior to taking this class. I also had to give my opinion on topics including women’s body image issues, eating disorders, and my own personal physical insecurities. I am now much more comfortable discussing controversial issues and I have learned not to be afraid to share how I feel. I am much less likely to be ashamed of my appearance and I am able to discuss these feelings with others, especially my girlfriend. This artifact is illustrative of my dealings with esteem needs.

 

In terms of self-actualization, that is something I will continue working to achieve. It is a long process that requires one to reach for his fullest potential. Abraham Maslow envisioned a man who lived a fulfilled life, and this fulfillment is different for every person. My Operation Christmas Child t-shirt shows the shift in my life toward self-actualization. In high school, I was not interested in doing community service. I once saw community service as a waste of time and I felt like I had more important events to attend. However, during my time at UNC-Charlotte, I have realized how important it is to give back to the community. I realized that I am in a very fortunate position and I have plenty of time and resources available to give to others. This is just a small piece of self-actualization, though. I am still working on other pieces of my life that will lead me to this final goal of self-actualization. I am very pleased with my progress during my four years at UNC-Charlotte and I know I will continue to make progress into the future. I plan on working on my self-actualization throughout my graduate degree program and into my professional career and personal life. I am pleased with the fact that I started this process of self-actualization during my undergraduate career at UNC-Charlotte because it has given me a great base to build upon in the years to come. I am excited to actively pursue a self-actualized life. Years ago, I thought going to college was about getting a specific degree so that I could pursue a particular professional interest. What my collegiate journey has taught me, however, is that, if you are intentional, college can be a journey into oneself and that journey can drastically and positively alter the path you take from there. While I do not know what life will offer me or what opportunities I will pursue, I feel certain in saying that beginning this journey to self-actualization will allow me to more profoundly contribute to the discussions at the peace tables where I gather.