S.H.A.P.E.

I am currently in the midst of the wonderful season of hunting...my husband deer hunts. I shoe and accessory hunt. Let me explain. One of the ways I have dealt with my creative energy is to work with a group of women during the hunting season. We shop (hunt) for a pair of shoes and/or accessories (comparable to his deer kill). The great thing about it is it all wraps up with a big fundraiser night to benefit Chix 4 A Cause.

There are moments during this time that I feel guilty about the ego-ness of worrying about an outfit only to be quickly reminded of the beauty of the inner work this pulls me into. I have come across the following in my readings that are sent to me by email each day from the Purpose Driven Life. These daily scripture readings and reflections often allow me to set an intention for the day. I so often enjoy the intuitive timing many of the daily pieces bring.

Defining our S.H.A.P.E. by Erik Rees, a tool used by the Purpose Driven Life

S Spiritual gifts- a set of special abilities that God has given to you to share His love and serve others

H Heart- the special passions that God has given to you so that you can glorify Him on earth

A Abilities- the set of talents that God gave you when you were born, which he also wants you to use to make an impact for Him

P Personality- the special way God wired you to navigate through life and fulfill your unique Kingdom purpose

E Experiences- those parts of your past, both positive and painful, which God intends to use in great ways

What a great way to clarify your own life...and what I really should say is I feel it is a good way for me to clarify me because I should not assume how you respond. That's really the beauty of each one of us, and I know we all know this, but we all are, perceive, believe in different things in different ways with different things. It's way beyond our shape on the outside. It's why I can say I have the gift to teach with a passion for health and creativity with the ability to listen without judgement and the personality to never give up taken from a lifetime of experiences both good and bad that makes me want to do the best I can with what I have been given and help others do the same. Hmmm. There it is- my SHAPE.

And it is interesting how shape changes as we evolve. I think about the shape that my parents might see me as...my dear and loving high school friends...my husband...my adult friends...my patients- all perceive me with a different shape- or maybe it is that I hold a different shape around them? An interesting thought to ponder.

It reminds me of a few years ago when I walked into a conference at the Stevens Point Wellness Center. As we went around the room to introduce ourselves, one of the ladies just amazed me! She owned this wellness center on the east coast, had several male children, married, beautiful and gosh! She looked tall (even though she was seated in a chair). During our interactions, I got to know her as well as I could through various exercises and gatherings. On the last day off that week long session, the whole group of women seemed to have bonded like a family in such a small time. We had to say our goodbyes. I went to hug this woman who I had perceived as tall only to find out she was shorter than I. Several of the women commented as I did on how we all thought she was this very tall person...how surprised we were to find out her "true shape" had changed!

1 Samuel 16:7 ...For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

Amen.
Paula