Nairobits E-learning > Course 3 > Web Stars > Lesson 4 > Handout
Shape your talent - exercise
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Confused about what your strengths, skills, passions, and talents are?
Lack a clear focus?
Stuck in a rut?
Ready to start moving toward a more meaningful and fulfilling life?
Here is an expressive arts exercise designed to help you become clearer
about who you are, what you want, and the things you love to do without
"perhaps" being consciously aware that you are doing so.
This exercise is closely related to the concepts and shapes described in
Angeles Arrien’s book,
Signs of Life: The Five Universal Shapes and How to Use Them. (Angeles
Arrien is an anthropologist, educator, and award-winning author. She
lectures nationally and internationally, conducting workshops
that bridge cultures drawing from anthropology, psychology, and
mediation).
According to Arrien, there are five universal shapes. They are: the circle,
square, triangle, cross, and spiral. Each one of these shapes holds universal
meaning. In other words, the meaning you ascribe to any one of these
shapes is the same for cultures from around the world, in ancient times as
well as today.
To begin the exercise, draw the five universal shapes listed above in the
order of your preference. Position number one will be your most preferred
shape and position number five will indicate your least preferred shape.
1.
2.
4.
3.
5.
Next, make a collage using the shape you placed in position number two.
This shape will be the dominant design shape. Other shapes may be
incorporated into your collage as long as they remain secondary to your
major design shape. To make your collage, choose a large white sheet of
paper and as many coloured papers as you like. Cut or tear the papers,
intuitively arrange them, and glue them down on the large white sheet of
paper. Remember, there is no right or wrong design, just what ever design
you choose. When you have completed your collage, place it where you will
be able to see it in full view.
Next you will make another composition whereby this time you will use
paints not as in the first step where you used many coloured paper to make
your collage. Just take another white sheet of paper and repeat the process
of choosing your most preferred shape and less preferred shape to make
one layout then use as many colours as you wish.
Now, use your two collage to evoke creative insights. Ask yourself what
does the shape in position number two mean to me personally? (At the end
of the exercise, I will disclose the meanings of the five universal shapes as
given in Arrien’s book). How does this shape express itself and arrange
itself in my collage? Look at your collage and write down your reactions.
Next, use your imagination and dialogue with your collages. Let your collage
speak to you (in the first person, singular), e.g. “I am a composition of your
strengths, passions, skills, and talents, I am...........” and write it out in a
journal. Have a conversation with specific areas of your collage, asking
questions and responding to what that particular area has to say to you. Try
not to censor or judge what you write. Dialogue as far as it feels right to
you. Read what you have written and once more write down any feelings or
thoughts you have in reaction. Finally, consider how your writings relate to
your strengths, skills, talents, and passions.
Meaning of Positions:
Number 1 represents:
Where you think you currently are. This shape describes the part of you
that you know best and with which you are most comfortable.
Number 2 represents:
Your strengths, skills, talents and passions. It symbolizes the areas of
your Self that are currently strong, fluid, and resourceful.
Number 3 represents:
What is really going on in your life whether you are consciously aware of it
or not.
Number 4 represents:
Your motivation. This shape furnishes clarifying information about what
has provoked you to do things the way you do.
Number 5 represents:
Unfinished business. This is your least preferred shape because it
indicates unresolved issues you wish to put aside.
You might enjoy experimenting with the different positions using the
preceding expressive arts exercise. A few weeks ago in the Wednesday
night Arts Psychotherapy group, I gave members this exercise and had
them make a collage using the shape they placed in position number five
– their least preferred shape. The number five position represents
unfinished business. It was surprising how effortlessly each group
member's unconscious factors and their past surfaced. This exercise
helped them identify and address the emotional fears and beliefs that
have kept them from obtaining a more fulfilling life, relationship, or
career.