Erik Rees, author of S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life, provides a venue for self-discovery and personal enlightenment. The book is designed to help a person discover their God-given potential and create a plan to achieve their true purpose. Rick Warren, bestselling author of The Purpose-Driven Life, offers insight and a framework in his foreword.

The focus of the book is to aid the reader in recognizing their uniqueness and directing action toward one’s purpose in life. According to the author, “We were made to make a significant difference.” The author describes in detail how a person is gifted tools from God that help define and form one’s purpose. These tools are a combination of abilities, things one is passionate about, spiritual gifts, personality and experiences (past and present) unique to each person but common because everyone has S.H.A.P.E.: S - spiritual gifts, H - heart, A - abilities, P – personality, and E-experiences.

The author’s fervor for helping people release their true potential is evident. Personal anecdotes are built in, and real-life stories help the reader understand the subject matter. Self assessment tools weave through the book, coupled with questions for self reflection. At the end of each chapter is a place to inspire the reader to do more than read, to take action. The author understands the value of finding satisfaction in a purpose in life; he has counseled thousands of people on this exact topic as a life coach and pastor of ministry.

What makes this book unique? The book indirectly forces the reader to evaluate one’s daily actions and self determine if one is realizing his/her full potential. I found myself truly engaged in reading the book, as if the hidden mysteries to my own purpose were slowly evolving as I read farther and farther. The author’s practical writing style connects with and encourages the reader to peel back the layers of one’s mind and soul to emerge with new illumination. Take time to read this book;+ there is a lot of personal enrichment material to grasp, and this is not an overnight read. It is, however, a must-read for people of all disciplines and belief systems, since we all have a purpose in life, and the guidance offered in this book is thought-provoking.