Who Will You Be When You Grow Up?

When I was in first grade I remember I wanted to be a nurse. Not sure why, other then in the 1960s, that was one of the acceptable vocations that I knew was common for a woman to be when they became an adult. When I think about it now, what I intuitively realized then, was that I wanted to serve others.

When I was in 5^th grade, I wanted to be an artist. Not sure why, other then I loved to draw and create things. What I know now was that being creative was always important to me.

When I was in 7^th and 8^th grade, I felt that I didn’t fit into the world of my peers. I loved church camp and being outdoors. Where I didn’t fit in was what I considered as silly conversations that weren’t important in the big picture of things. What I know now, but didn’t have vocabulary for then, nor an understanding, was that the spiritual and purpose of life was important to me, at least from an intuitive level. I just didn’t call it that.

When I was in high school, I would hear peers talk about the parties and concerts they would go to, and who threw up or got hit by a flying wine bottle. Really?! Why would someone want to pay to get hit by a wine bottle at a concert? What I didn’t know then was that, intuitively, meaning and purpose in life was bigger than the moment.

What do all of these have in common, other than recognizing a developmental process? Somehow, somewhere, I was taught to listen to what is important to me. Even though I am not a nurse, I recognized in 1^st grade the desire to serve others. Even though I am not an artist, I still love to be creative. And I now have an understanding of the richness of my spiritual experiences and nurture and encourage others to grow their own understanding of their life and purpose as a vocation.

These are the types of experiences that have led me to live the life I love, as a minister, a life coach and a mental health coach. This comes from listening to myself through the years. This calls me to continue to listen to who God has created me to be and how God has called me to serve.

How has God guided you through your life? Who has God called you to be? How are you called to serve? Who will you be when you grow up? Are you listening? 

What Is Your Spiritual Type?

What does it mean to be “spiritual”??  Does it mean being able to sit quietly for a certain length of time each day in prayer? Does it require that I am actively involved in a community of faith? Does it mean that I think about God all my waking hours or offer confession at least once a week or take part in a Bible Study?

Any and all of these can be a part one’s spiritual growth, nurture and journey. So, yes, these are among the opportunities to inspire and grow one in their spirituality. On the other hand, no, this does not define one as “spiritual”. We can go through the movements, yet not be fully aware of ourselves as spiritual beings. I love Julian of Norwich’s statement that “All that is good is God, and all that is God is good”. Spirituality is so much more than anything we do or say or even understand.

Discover Your Spiritual Type is the name of a book I am reading by Corinne Ware (Alban Institute Publication, 1995). I find this an interesting idea-being a “spiritual type”. We who are in a faith community may talk about being “spiritual”. And many of us are realizing that taking care of our health includes our spiritual health. So the whole idea of being a spiritual being has found more groundedness and visibility in today’s society as we seek to a more wholistic health. But, what does it mean to be a “spiritual type”?

In Ware’s book, she uses the definition that states spirituality is “…all those attitudes and activities that characterize one’s attempts to make connection with Deity” (10). So those activities named above may be a part of one’s experience and expression of spirituality, yet spirituality is so much more. It seems when I give trainings or workshops that include something along the line of spiritual growth and spiritual experiences, those that attend are ones who appreciate quiet time in prayer and/or enjoy deep conversation of conceptual and intuitive, even mystical experiences. This isn’t everyone’s experience of their spirituality, however. Sometimes the Spirit can meet us in very tactile and structure forms and experiences.

So, if I were to ask you questions such as:

What connects you with God?

When are times you feel closest to God?

When and how do you like to pray?

What is meaningful worship for you?

I would guess I would get as many answers as I would get responses to these questions. Not everyone finds meaning and Spirit in the same experiences. Some folks like predictable liturgy. Some will like the free flow of the spirit in worship. Some may prefer a quiet room in prayer. Some may pray best while doing meaningful work.

Along with the use of the PeopleMap Personality Assessment, these are the types of questions that will be explored in a course I will be offering through Pinnacle Leadership Associates in the fall. I would love to hear responses to these questions and more on your personal experiences of awareness of what grows and nurtures you spiritually in your comments!