Essay: Unique Design Reflection

5 November 2018
Unique Design Reflection
What is makes us who we are? This topic is called unique design and is the distinct characteristics that combine to make us who we are, the things we deeply care about, and how all of these are shaped by what we encounter throughout life. It is the most fundamental place to look when seeking to discern the unique nature of this calling as it applies to us as individuals. The three main components of unique design are ones strengths, passions and experiences.
“I don’t want to come to the end of my life and find that I only impersonated myself.”
— Parker Palmer
Strengths are the qualities or features that bring power, force, vigour, or sustenance to our lives. They form our individual capacities in life that are, or have the potential to be, the most beneficial to us. A common misconception is that we should spend more time on our weaknesses in order to turn them into strengths, however this is not the ideal decision. Our main priority should be on our top strengths in order to improve them and make them as good as they can be while putting little focus on our liabilities or even our middle-of-the-road features, but enough so that they do not inhibit our ability to do what we are trying to do. This concept of strengths can be broken down into five areas: physical, emotional, intellectual, psychological and spiritual. All of these areas are related. We are not who we are if you just talk about one area of strengths. It is every part of us when put together which makes us who we are, not just one part of us or a strength in a certain area, but the connection between strengths. Also, a strength in one area may lead to a strength in another or help to develop it.
“One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.”
— Albert Schweitzer
Physical strengths are the capacity of ourselves that gives our body distinct features and enables us to perform actions with our body. It is a much broader array of bodily actions than just brute force. It is those assets in our lives that we perform with bodily actions. This notion of physical strengths can be broken down into eight individual strengths in order to understand and analyse oneself. What we initially think of as physical strength is the area known as muscular strength, the muscular ability that enables people to excel at lifting great weights or exerting great pressure. Artistry is bodily dexterity that enables a person to arrange colours, forms, materials, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in some sort of manifestation. Musical strengths are the use of the body to produce or manipulate sounds and or rhythms. The area of mechanics is the strength to  use the body in a way to manipulate physical objects and machinery to accomplish tasks, this normally requires a great deal of practice, in a synergistic manner that combines the energy of the human with the efficiency of the machine to exceed the capability of either when working by itself. Craftsmanship is similar to artistry and mechanical strengths but on a finer scale, where bodily dexterity enables a person to work effectively with the hands or other parts of the body to create exquisite objects. The strength of oratory is the use of the spoken voice to produce captivating tones and clear articulation, simply stated, to speak clearly and sound good. Kinesthetics or flexibility is the coordination and control of bodily positions, weight, muscles, or movement to achieve desired outcomes. Finally, physical appearance, the features of a person’s body that we often refer to as good looks. Others see strong strengths in me in the areas of music and kinesthetics. Music and kinesthetics in the that I am an accomplished saxophonist which requires musical strength to play in a way that others enjoy and kinesthetics to move the right fingers at the right time in the right way to play what is intended to be played. All strengths initially are gifts that are inherent in our lives, which then we adopt and maintain an attitude which encourages us to learn about the strength and then develop it through practice. I naturally have a gift for music. I also have an appreciation for music and an attitude to improve. Then I learn more about it and grow in understanding. Finally, I develop my gift through practice. This has led me to the saxophonist I am today, through the mindset ‘every practice, a little better.’
“It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence, it is not the triumph of heart over head—it is the unique intersection of both.”
— David Caruso
Emotional strength is the capacity of our lives that enables us to correctly experience and use feelings and sensibility. Those assets in our lives that enable us to be aware of and experience feelings like happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, or disgust. Emotional intelligence can be broken down into 4 areas. First to identify and express emotions where one has ability to recognise feelings and emotions. Second to use or generate emotions, the ability to know which emotions or moods are best for different situations and to get us into the ‘right mood.’ Third is to understand emotions and to recognise and grasp emotional information. Finally is to manage emotions, to regulate emotions within ourself and in other people and then monitor, observe and distinguish differences, and accurately labelling emotions as they are encountered. An emotional strength that others have identified in me is the ability to use emotions in order to convey a message. This starts with a gift and inclination for conveying a specific message. Then the appreciation of when the job is done and others are on the same page as you. Also, an understanding of how to get to that point and the attitude necessary in order to improve in the skill of persuasion and using emotion to my advantage.
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”
— Albert Einstein
Intellectual strength is the capacity of our lives that enables us to acquire knowledge and develop an ever-expanding understanding of this knowledge in a manner that produces wisdom. It is the assets in our lives that give us the capacity to acquire, process, and understand information. This strength can be broken down into three disciplines: the disciplines of the mind that help us build the ability to discover, understand, and apply truth in an ever-expanding manner (curiosity teachable spirit and persistence), the disciplines that we use to process the knowledge into an understanding of truth (integrity, critical thinking and patience); and the disciplines that we use to apply the truth after we understand it (courage, systematic thinking  and advancement). First we discover new information and learn then we understand and process the knowledge and finally apply it to our lives. Another aspect of intellectual strength is our learning style, how we learn best and then study effectively. Based off of the VAK learning style model, my learning style is an even balance between all three categories: visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. I like to be actively involved with hands-on activities in my learning but I am easily physically distracted. I like to have material presented visually where I take notes and see it but can also be visually distracted. I like to listen to discussion and material but can also be distracted with noise. In order to make the most of the time I have at to study or learn material at college, there is preferences I have which I should use to study and learn effectively. When studying, I prefer: with background music, in bright light, in a warmer environment but not so warm where I sweat but not cold where I have to wear jackets, little distractions, the option to have others look over work before I submit, options of food for snacks, something to do for breaks and a desk set up with my stuff. I should utilise these things I know already in order to better make use of my time so I can have more time to do what I want to do.
“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”
— Carl Jung
Psychological strength is the capacity in our lives that enables us to exercise our will in deciding the course of action. It is assets in our lives that relate more to our personalities. The Myers-Briggs scale assess the basic preferences of an individual in four areas. It is based on the theory of psychological types described by C. G. Jung which says that much seemingly random variation in the behaviour is actually quite orderly and consistent, being due to basic differences in the ways individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment. The first area is based on the question ‘Do you prefer to focus on the outer world or on your own inner world?’ where one can be either extraversion (E) or introversion (I). Second is ‘Do you prefer to focus on the basic information you take in or do you prefer to interpret and add meaning?’ where one can be sensing (S) or intuition (N). Next is ‘When making decisions, do you prefer to first look at logic and consistency or first look at the people and special circumstances?’ and one can be either thinking (T) or feeling (F). Finally is ‘In dealing with the outside world, do you prefer to get things decided or do you prefer to stay open to new information and options?’ where one can be judging (J) or perceiving (P). I am ISTJ, introversion, sensing, thinking and judging. I am a person who prefers to process and make decisions internally. I take in information through observing facts or events through one or more of the five senses. I come to conclusions and make decisions on a logical approach by relying primarily on an impersonal basis of rational consequences. I then like organisation and process in coming to conclusions or making decisions. When deciding on my future, specifically what I will study and where, I will need to: research my options, consider the pros and cons to all the options, base decisions on logical arguments and to take my time in my decision.
“No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
— Jesus
Spiritual strength is the capacity of our lives that enables us to discern and respond in service to the mysterious inner leading of God. It is those assets in our lives that enable us to comprehend and respond to a higher source of power and guidance. This strength is what give us the desire and capacity to serve others. The Intrinsic Motivation Assessment Guide and Evaluation, or IMAGE for short, is an assessment which is intended to lead one on a discovery of a unique design for their life which then can help focus one on endeavours that are consistent with the purpose for their life and also give a greater sense of fulfilment in life. My pilot motivation is managing and is clear along with teaching which also motivates me. This combination of managing and teaching is known as administrator. Managing is defined as persons who have the inward motivation to organise and coordinate the activities and efforts of others and to set goals fo them to meet in these activities and efforts. Teaching is defined as persons who have the inward motivation to carefully research truth and to clearly present it to the others in such a way that it will be easy to learn. Some profile traits that align with me and the combination of these primary motivations include: organisation, leadership, research, systematic processes, hard work and responsibility. I generally respond to a situation with organisation or research and often adopt the role of director. I have a high value for accuracy and understanding  and like information and direction. In fact, my IMAGE profile and Myers-Briggs profile match pretty closely. The Myers-Briggs profile suggests that I like facts, details, analysis, logical arguments and reasoning, structure, organisation, process, conclusions and thinking. There is no detail which conflicts between a profile which samples my psychological strengths and another which samples my spiritual strengths. From this, it is clear what God’s purpose for me in life entails. It is a path which holds all of the characteristics listed previously. Every assessment has told me the same general thing, even if it is sampling different strengths or areas. The question is, what is on that path and where will it lead me?
“If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.”
— David Livingston
Passions are the deep forces in our lives that burn within our hearts and often drive the actions or paths we take. I have been described as to have a scientific and analytic mind. This being said, I have a passion for delving into the scientific world in order to continue learning and understanding difficult concepts which may in turn impact the lives of many.
“Two roads diverged in a wood and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
—Robert Frost
Experiences are our strengths and passions developed and shaped in a distinct pattern based on the unique events, situations, and influences we encounter throughout our lives. They can be full of blessings, triumphs, and achievements, or they can be burdened by misfortunes, ordeals, and trials. In my life, there has been a few major low points which were tough but in the end, became high points. These would be moving overseas, PNG to NZ, NZ to AUS and AUS to USA. Moving is tough as you are saying goodbye to what you knew was reality for several years and then starting over somewhere new. However, as the experience continues, it turns into a high point as the experience of living overseas and encountering a culture other than your own. Not many people have the opportunity to live overseas like I have. Some of the people who my Dad works with have said that it really impacts their children’s lives’ in a positive way by living overseas as they grow up, even though it is not easy. The overall high in my life, which has extended from as far back as I can remember till today, is happiness in my family. It affects me and my brothers in a positive way to be a part of a family that gets along. Romans 2:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Kintsugi is a Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. God is
God is using everything in our lives, including our brokenness, our pain, our failures, our weaknesses, our fractured relationships, our shattered dreams, our disappointments, and our cracked personalities, to bring about a beautifully redemptive story. He assuredly is making all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.