Our third and final essay in our series highlighting entries from Worthy’s 2016 Women’s Professional Scholarship Program comes from Kylie Arlint-Henderson, a 39-year-old digital education leadership student working toward her master’s degree. Kylie’s essay, which was submitted under the well-being category and featured below, focuses on the four keys she recommends for achieving a state of well-being, defined as “the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.”
For many women, finding such balance proves challenging no matter how long and how hard they keep at it, especially when faced with devastating circumstances, which can lead to stress or fear about the future. Kylie is no stranger, like most of us, to unwanted tension, and recalls how running from problems during her early twenties eventually led her to the understanding that avoidant behavior did not help her resolve issues, only escape them temporarily. Kylie recounts her story for you below.
By Kylie Arlint-Henderson
Well-being is defined as “the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy”. So how can we achieve this in our lives? There are 4 keys to well-being that cannot be ignored. We need to have a sense of self-worth, see value in how we contribute to society, be mindful and intentional with how we interact with the world around us, and have an optimistic view of our future.
How we see ourselves impacts how others see us. Our well-being is influenced by our interaction with the world around us. If we see value in how we contribute to others, it helps solidify our existence and place in society. In turn, making us feel connected and helps us identify our strengths and interests. Feeling validated allows us to continue finding purpose.
Another key to our well-being is mindfulness. Allowing ourselves to truly take time and reflect on our present, past, and future can allow spiritual growth. With this, we need to be able to look at what we have control over in our lives, as well as the things that are out of our hands. When things are out of our control, the intentional time spent collaborating with others on how we can take action or adapt can bring an element of peace.
Devastating events occur daily, impacting innocent people. Our interactions with others can quickly lead to stress or fear about the future. Challenges and obstacles can easily arise such as a colleague or neighbor with differing views or values. We could also receive news regarding our own health or that of a loved one that challenges our ability to see hope. This leads to my final key to well-being, being optimistic about the future. If we cannot find hope, we easily spiral to a place where depression and anxiety can consume our daily lives.
In my twenties I viewed my well-being as something I could easily manipulate through my career, relationships, and life experiences. I lived simply and could pick up and move to escape unwanted stress. However, I now realize that moving did not resolve my issues, just allowed me to avoid resolving uncomfortable life situations. If I was unhappy with a job, I would look for a new one before trying to see how I might be able to collaborate with my employer to see if the situation could be improved to benefit both of us.
Now in my thirties, I see my well-being as something guided by my spiritual beliefs and more self-reflection on the legacy I want to create for myself. My well-being is more self-guided by long-term goals and how I can contribute to both my profession and family. I want to raise my children to believe in themselves as valued contributors to society who can make a positive impact on the world. I want my students to see me as a mentor who can help them tap into their strengths and creatively find ways to inspire them to be producers for future generations.
Last year, Worthy launched its Women’s Professional Scholarship Program to support deserving women looking to continue their professional education. As one of the judges in our inaugural contest, I had the honor of reading submissions from women utilizing both their experience and professional studies to improve the lives of others. I am proud to again sit on Worthy’s panel of esteemed divorce experts as I await submissions from women like you, women who are leading the life they have always dreamed of and want to help others do the same.
Our Worthy family derives great satisfaction from hearing about your successes and wants to see more women thrive as you are. That is why we made the decision to support the aspirations of “worthy” women by offering academic scholarships to those we believe can make a difference in their communities and the world. One of those recipients could be you.
We are currently accepting applications for our 2019 Women’s Professional Scholarship. To participate, contestants should submit their applications by December 2nd, 2019. Contest rules apply.
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