In college we had an assignment in my interpersonal communications class where we had to share three objects. One to represent how we think people see us. One to represent how we see ourselves. And one to represent how we want to be seen.
For the first I picked a small paper bag. I believe people saw me as a certain thing, a certain category. Looking for the guy to help with Econ homework, take the bag. Looking for a laugh, take the bag. Looking for a shoulder to cry on, take the bag. I think that is how people saw me. The take what you need guy.
The second item played into the first, my second item was a large paper grocery sack. This sack held all of the little sacks. It's very fragmented in the bag, but there's a ton of stuff in it.
The third item was the healthy integration of the sack of sacks. The third item I picked was a cigar. Each component of who I am is a part of one integrated unit. Taking a pull off the cigar gives a bit of everything. Like a cigar is one smoke with many layers of many leaves, that is how I wanted to be--one man whose many experiences made for a complete being.
When presenting my items, I was sure to mention that not everybody loves a cigar and that's just fine because a cigar can only be a cigar. Love it or hate it, a cigar can only be a smoke. As for me, I am who I am and if you don't like me at least I'm true to myself.
As a child of God I need to phrase that differently. As a child of God, when in accord with the Holy Spirit, I am who I am called to be, and if you don't like me God still loves me.
Amen!
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