Rightpath: Examples
Keira
Keira is struggling in school and doesn’t know the truth of who she is—whether it’s awareness of her character qualities, why she tends to be friends with certain types of people, and generally feels stuck in the mundane routine of life. She knows what subjects she’s not good at in school and is constantly reminded of how she is not like her older sister who is organized, achieving, and talkative. Keira feels that something is wrong with her. She compares herself to others and wishes she was different.
Keira knows in the depths of her heart she’s going to be okay. She tries her best, but that thought always gets replaced with feelings of discouragement and fear. Therefore, Keira tries to change her style and make new friends so she feels accepted and like she belongs; but she finds herself exhausted, hopeless, and empty as she becomes more confused of who she is and wants to be. She doesn’t see herself as likable and isn’t able to receive people’s compliments when they affirm who she is. When she dares to look in the mirror, she is reminded of her feelings of being numb, unhappy, and ultimately lost.
TJ
TJ was fired from a mechanical position that he liked but was struggling to meet the requirements and deadlines. He would come home feeling unfulfilled and inadequate from the lack of interaction with others as well as the fine details he overlooked. TJ recently was hired for a customer service role and somewhat likes his work. However, he believes he is settling. He believes he isn’t in a position that brings him joy and fulfillment and allows him to operate out of who he is and his natural gifts.
He asks his boss if he should apply for the leadership position that has recently opened up. His boss shrugs his shoulders, but TJ is not dismayed and is determined and confident that he can lead well. He remembers the many trips he helped lead and the events he helped organize. TJ musters up the courage to apply. He makes it to the second interview which involves meeting with the board of the company. TJ knows he has to present himself well, yet he doesn’t know how to put into words exactly what makes him a good leader. He has good examples but doesn’t quite have an understanding of why he believes he is a natural-born leader.
Heather and Mike
Heather and Mike dated for a couple of years and went through a premarital program. Premarital helped them gain more awareness and have conversations that got them on the same page of living life married. The first year of marriage was good but would fluctuate more than they had hoped. The second-year was better, as they seemed to be in a routine and connect well. However, their third year became chaotic and went to shambles because of the life changes that happened outside of their marriage. Mike stayed later at work and Heather would often go out to see friends. Mike progressively needed more time to decompress when getting home from work, while Heather began sleeping in later.
When they tried to catch up with their lives the conversations only involved Mike’s work or Heather’s friend’s drama. Eventually, whatever they talked about would end in a fight or with each of them being on their phone. They no longer knew how to connect. Heather had expectations that Mike would talk more and be able to be the life of the party with her and her friends. Mike had the expectations that Heather would be just as independent and successful as he was.
Sometimes Mike would go out with Heather only to come back home more exhausted, while Heather would try to relax and instead find herself organizing the house and planning the next time she would be with her friends. They began to call each other harsh names to try to get through to each other and change their partner’s expectations. They would say things like “maybe we aren’t right for each other”, “maybe I married the wrong person”, or “it’s not me, it’s you.” Their expectations eventually led them to resent one another and become disconnected.
Karinder Family
Almost all of the Karinder family was on their back porch grilling dinner and talking. Sharon and Jeff had three children, Will, Sarah, and Hannah. Sharon and Jeff would laugh watching their children, Will and Sarah, perform a comedy standup for the family. Will and Sarah were outgoing and would compete to see who was the loudest and was able to get more laughs from their parents.
Meanwhile, Sharon and Jeff’s middle daughter, Hannah, was inside watching her family from her window as she drew on her easel. Hannah was quiet and reserved and felt like the black sheep of the family. She felt like she was adopted and didn’t fit in. Hannah could tell her parents would try to connect with her by asking about her artwork, but Will and Sarah would somehow end up stealing the attention from their parents. Will and Sarah couldn’t get along with Hannah because she wouldn’t talk as much as they would. They even tried to do artwork with Hannah but she stormed off because they would end up joking and throwing paint everywhere.
Sharon and Jeff felt stuck and tried to make Hannah speak up more and play sports. However, Hannah would retreat and stay in her room even longer. Eventually, everyone became frustrated that they all couldn’t connect and be a loving family.
Common Theme
The common theme among Keira, TJ, Heather and Mike, and the Karinder family is each person has a unique personality. Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
With each personality comes distinct characteristics that make each person unique, namely, it makes them who they are. With unique personalities there are innate strengths and weaknesses. For example, being adventurous has its natural strengths and struggles. An adventurous person’s strengths could be that they aren’t afraid of taking risks, seek new opportunities, and are highly motivated. Their struggles could include being overly focused on their goals and success, being overly competitive, and taking unnecessary risks.
Rightpath focuses on innate strengths in terms of being naturally hard-wired a certain way, with specific characteristics that are more pronounced than others. Rightpath helps to identify personality and behavioral struggles, in order to prevent those struggles from becoming weaknesses in everyday life. Then, it is how each person manages and becomes more aware of their natural strengths and struggles that affect his or her situations, jobs, and relationships. Each person carries a distinct presence, gifts, and talents that are innate or natural to them. Rightpath is a tool to help identify these gifts and respect what makes each person unique.
How Rightpath Can Help
Keira decided to go to counseling and took the Rightpath Path 6 Personality Assessment. She came away with insight and a new perspective of appreciation for who God created her to be. She began to accept herself and the uniqueness she brings into relationship and situations.
TJ decided to take the Rightpathing Your Future Assessment. Not only did he present himself with more confidence to the board, but the board gained insight and clarity to the leadership skills TJ possessed.TJ is able to identify and verbalize key strengths and skills. He got the position, but he also gained awareness, confidence, and a fulfilling career. TJ learned that when his personality and gifts aligned with his job, his job did not feel unnatural or as exhausting. Rightpath helped him discover those things about himself.
Heather and Mike went to couples counseling and took the Rightpathing Your Relationship Assessment. They came away with objective insight and were able to accept each other’s uniqueness. This includes the strengths and struggles that each of them brought into the marriage. From that awareness and acceptance, they were able to connect with a new appreciation and see the harm in beliefs like if it’s this hard I didn’t marry ‘the right person’.’
The Karinder family went to family counseling and took the Rightpath Path 6 Personality Assessment. They found that each family member shared more characteristics than they thought and were able to relate to each other in a new and connected way. Each family member was able to accept and appreciate the uniqueness of each other and be aware of the strengths and struggles that each member brings into their family dynamic. That awareness also helped them to navigate conflict and praise in clear and meaningful ways.
Finding Out More About Rightpath
If you resonate with Keira, TJ, Heather, Mike, or the Karinder family’s story and are interested in taking one of the Rightpath Assessments or learning more information, please email admin@restorationcounselingatl or call 678-534-3824. You can also check out our service page with more information about Rightpath on our website here.
Written by: Micah Mabe, MA MFT, APC
Roswell Location
micah@restorationcounselingatl.com, ext. 158
Micah comes from a Christian background and enjoys working with adolescents and families, as well as couples. His focus is coming alongside families, adolescents, and teenagers who desire to find help and resolution. His other focus is helping couples who want to understand and love their partner better to enhance their marriage. He also helps couples who are in conflictual relationships that are struggling with disconnection and isolation.