the calling of a Shaman

My mother in law rarely talks about my true calling.  When she does in a tone of disdain, she pronounces it shame-n with an emphasis on SHAME.  As if what I am doing is not only distasteful but something altogether wrong.  My brother in law adds that what I do is not from God.

I don't know what god rules the world they live in, but my God is a pretty hip, all-loving, and approachable dude who would never plant shame, fear, or judgment in people's hearts.

Gavin and I go back and forth whether I should balls out embrace my title or whether by taming the word I can reach a wider audience.   The definition of shaman on dictionary.com is:

"(esp. among certain tribal peoples) a person who acts as intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, control spiritual forces, etc."

This version strips us of our gifts and making us sound like something of nightmares.  I have an alternate definition:   

A shaman is a sage.  A healer who works with the land energies, plant and animal spirits, and sacred deities to affect change on the physical, spiritual, mental and emotional levels of our being. 

We offer this work to the world not to profit or to be glorified but because to not answer the calling makes life even more challenging.  We are asked to serve our community selflessly and are required to perform the most courageous of acts.  True courage is found not in the action but in serving anyway we can.

The only Shame in Shamanism is when one denies what they have been asked by Spirit to be and to do.