19 JULY 2023 – SHARLA BORROWMAN
I have wanted to be a bringer of light, hope, and love to others as long as I can remember and I feel it is part of my purpose here in this life. One of my earliest and favorite nick names (and I’ve had a few) is Sharla Sunshine. It was given to me by my mother as a little girl, and I have always enjoyed knowing she thinks of me that way. Maybe as many good mothers do, she used the opportunity when I was young to not only express her loving feelings about me, but also to guide me into the person she hoped I would become; someone who brings light into the lives of others.
I have often thought about how I am, or could be, that type of person and subsequently tried to act on it in various ways through the years. I have even clung to it during dark times and used it as a reminder that I am loved and lovable, and that I have the capacity to act in accordance with the concept of being someone who embodies light through acts of service, authenticity, and caring thoughtfulness. It has helped guide me at times to try and be warmer, softer, and brighter as I interact with others, qualities that sometimes need to be intentionally fostered in an R/E temperament.
Different Waves of Light
And as you might expect, the bit of light that I try to shine as an RE woman looks very different from how other temperaments might enlighten or cheer those around them. As an R I often like to be social and I try to make others feel welcomed, included, and loved. Often I am “a mover and a shaker”, as my mother would say. I like to step into a situation and create a sense of happiness, order, and organization, getting things done quickly to the very best of my ability. I put in hard work, often continuing to chip away at tasks long after others might be feeling “done”, for as long as I think I can still make good progress. I pay attention to details when I think it will be important, really trying to get things as close to ideal as possible with what I have to work with. Other times, I fight my natural E inclinations and instead deliberately try hard to be flexible and accommodating, letting go of “perfection” in the name of being helpful and relieving stress. These ways of being are necessarily different from how an O or C temperament might show up in an effort to shine their personal light. Each individual is singularly special and very needed!
“To shine your brightest light is to be who you truly are.”
– Roy T. Bennet
Enlightened
I believe we all want to understand better who we are at our core, and to be seen and loved as we are. Learning about our personal temperament, and the temperament of those around us, can help us make better sense of why things play out they way they do. It can provide not only a deeper sense of self and personal validation, but an increased awareness of strengths, or traits we may need to channel in healthier directions. It helps us understand how we fit in our families and the world around us, thereby gaining an increased ability to make progress toward accepting others for who they are, and believing that our inherent differences are not wrong or broken, even when our natural instincts pull us in different directions.
Re-kindling & Guiding our Flames
We each have a light burning inside us that is reflective of our own unique upbringing, temperament, insights, and gifts which bring so much value into the world. Sometimes though it can feel like our light is burning low and about to be snuffed out; or on the other end of the spectrum, we might feel like our flame is too hot and sometimes burns those we interact with. If you feel like you can relate to this, Dr. Slade’s Healthy+Happy program can help you understand how best to embrace and nurture your own light and your relationships.
In our program we cover several key principles that foster true intimacy and help sustain meaningful, long lasting relationships.
-RESOURCES-
If you wonder what your temperament is or how to best to show up healthily in your life, come take the C.O.R.E. Assessment and join our Healthy+Happy program where we talk about much more than just your temperament. Click here for a Discovery Call!
Some of my happiest moments come from being able to shine light in someone else’s life & act as a bit of sunshine for their soul. I also love seeing others shine in their own lives as they feel the joy of growth and personal progress. We would love to have you join us to explore how best to embrace your self and have happier relationships with your loved ones!
