SESSION 3:

WHO AM I? GETTING IN TOUCH WITH MY PERSONHOOD

OBJECTIVES: -to develop appreciation of one’s unique self

-to practice self-disclosure as a way of increasing awareness of

self and others

EXPECTED OUTCOME: Participants will appreciate their unique personhood

and will eventually learn to appreciate others

METHOD: Structured Learning Activity SLAs/Lecture discussion

MATERIALS: PowerPoint slides

COMPONENTS:

Activities:

1.My Description of Self: Who Am I

2.Hand Language: My Personal Identity

DURATION: 1 hour

PREPARATION: Pieces of papers and pens for the activity outputs

PowerPoint slide
 ACTIVITY: HAND LANGUAGE:MY PERSONAL IDENTITY*
*(Adapted from Ernest Tan, Human Intimacy ©1978, Meriam College Graduate School)

Introduction: When I reach out to another person, I begin to realize that this

process of knowing oneself becomes easier. Other people mirror back my self to

me, for we all share in a common humanity. I see my own strengths and weakness,

my dreams and aspirations in the other and theirs in me. As we resound in each

other, another phenomenon is experienced – I begin to discover my uniqueness as

a person.

This activity invites you to fully experience this reality of one’s uniqueness.

To facilitate this process, we will use the image of our hands. ( Facilitator shows

slide or drawing of a hand or palm of a hand)

When we are introduced to someone, we normally extend our hands in a

gesture of warmth and welcome. It is well worth considering that as we extend our

hands, it is not just skin and bones we are giving. We are really extending our self.

Who then is this hand that we are extending? What history lies in this hand? What

“little stories” do this hand has to tell? What mysteries does it still have to unfold?

Here, you will be requested to journey with a friend in a symbolic exchange of hand

language.

Activity Proper: (Facilitator requests participants to take out a piece of paper from

their kit.)

Step 1. Begin by taking a close look at your hands – your right and left.

Observe the color, size, shape, and texture of these two hands. Compare
 them. Explore the history of each hand. Is it strong? Weak? Overused?

Abandoned? Soft? Rough? Smooth? Frail?

From your observations choose the hand which seems to be more

representative of you. It may be that the hand you choose speaks more

clearly of your strength or vulnerability. Or it reflects more of your history.

Having made a choice, place that hand over your paper and trace its shape.

(Facilitator displays slide or drawing of a hand)

Step 2. At the wrist area, write down the name you feel most comfortable

with and which you prefer. Remember that your name must sound pleasing

to you.

For example, my real name is “______”. It’s beautiful and unique.

I like to be called by this name because ______________. How about

you? What name would you feel good being addressed with?

Step 3. At the pointing finger area, think of a word or a phrase which would

best describe you. Make sure the word or phrase captures the real essence

of your person.

For example, I always describe myself with the words

“_________”. I got this from friends who affirmed me for being _____.

In your case, how would you describe yourself?

Step 4. In the middle finger area, think of a symbol which would best

illustrate your greatest growth experience. It could be an event in your life,

either positive or negative, which has helped you grow as a person.

 For example, For quite sometime, I got stuck in an unhealthy

relationship. When I made the major decision to move out of such a

crippling relationship, I began to see myself as a capable person willing to

thread the road less traveled by those who pursue personal growth. For a

symbol, I thought of drawing a bird breaking free from a cage. (Or you can

make your own personal example)

Step 5. In the ring finger area, think of a symbol which would best illustrate

a major block to your growth as a person. What would be something, either

external or internal, which hinders you from growing further as a person?

In my case, I consider my lack of confidence in myself as a major

block. I find myself very insecure and unwilling to take responsibilities even

if I know I have the capabilities in a particular area. I would use the symbol

of a clammed shell with some light coming out through small openings.

This signifies that I have the potentials but when I close in, due to my lack

of confidence, I do not allow my potentials to fully develop.

Step 6. In the little finger area, think of a symbol which would

best show what you consider is God’s greatest gift to you as a person. For

me I always thank God for His gift of life to me. I was sickly since I was a

child, carrying with me an ailment of the heart yet I was able to live this

long, still striving to make good of the remaining years of this gift. To

symbolize this, I chose the image of a newly sprouted growing plant. (Or you

can make your own personal example)

 Step 7. In the thumb area, consider a person who plays a very significant role

in your life at present. Think of a symbol to represent in what way this

person is significant to you.

At the moment, I am thinking of one loyal friend who all through-out

these years accepts me for all my wounded-ness, helped me clarify my

concerns and supports me through my crisis. I chose the symbol of wind

blowing beneath wings because for me she was the one who prodded me to

take flight on my wings.

Step 8. Finally, in the palm area, think of a symbol which would best

represent something which keeps you going in your life now. What is the

source that sustains you through life and living?

I drew a cross with rays of light emanating from it. Surprisingly, it is

my “wounds”, my “hurts”, my “pains” which keeps me going because as I

experience them, I find God present in them. It is also in painful moments

when God sends friends to support me go through the difficulties.

(Facilitator requests participants to invite a fellow participant to share their hand

language with.)

Reflection Points:

 What were the feelings you experienced while working on the activity and

while sharing your hand language?

 What impact or effect did this activity have on you? In what way did it affect

you?

 What is the significance of going through the hand language?

  What significant learnings, realizations, and discoveries did you have from

the activity?

(Facilitator takes note of answers from participants to be used for the synthesis.)

Synthesis: It is in going through experiences similar to the Hand Language Activity

that one begins to appreciate the uniqueness and gift of their person. As we

journey inward, we realize that it become s easier when other people welcome us

in an atmosphere of trust, acceptance, respect and openness. We begin then to

reflect to each other our common humanity and, therefore, fear to open up is

lessened. In the sharing, you realize that you can truly understand each other for

you do share feelings, dreams and aspirations. At the same time, you discover your

uniqueness and your beauty apart from others.

Personal Integration: What you have just undertaken in the Hand Language Activity

is not something common to people. It wouldn’t be surprising to find people who

do not have yet the courage and chance to share something deep and personal

about themselves with others. Many people are still trapped by their fears and

their lack of trust.

It would be worth checking; In your own life, can you comfortably say that

you have allowed a number of people around you to know you deeply and

intimately? Do you find yourself voluntarily disclosing your feelings, thoughts, and

opinions to others? Or do you generally keep things to yourself? Does the

atmosphere of trust, acceptance, respect, sincerity, openness pervade through your

relationships?
 (Facilitator asks participants to think of ways they can do to bring their relationships to
a deeper and more personal level by using their learnings from the activity).

SELF AWARENESS
(Lecture with the use of PowerPoint slide)