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slivers of enlightenmentWorking with groups is where I want to be. It's what makes the blood flow, makes the energy surge and makes me feel the most alive. For whatever reason, my opportunity to be facilitating and leading.....to be teaching and learning surrounded by the sparks have not been as forthcoming as I would prefer and I find this very frustrating. It is most definately what I will focus on making happen.......... it's where I want to be. it's where i NEED to be. It's what I'm best at............
Today, I had the pleasure of spending the whole day with a group of amazing people who will be working with kids who have very special needs. They will be responsible for planning and delivering summer program fun, counselling and leading and interacting all summer long. Most of these kids live in public housing with their families who also have very special needs....financially, emotionally, and/or spiritually. Deep wounds from ongoing struggles.....always wrestling to get their basic needs met. Family strife, caused by a variety of underlying issues, is the norm. Most of these kids have never had a chance at childhood. In fact, some of them even at a young age, have had to assume the role of parent. Because they spend such an inordinate amount of time trying to meet their survival needs....shelter, food, safety, health, there is little time to even attempt to meet their love and belonging needs let alone anything to do with freedom, fun or empowerment......forget it.........no time for this.
Except.............this summer.....these kids will be kids. And the summer counsellors will play a key role in helping fulfill these important needs.
Today was an orientation of sorts........a chance to meet others who will be working throughout the city in a similar capacity.......a chance to talk about what they have already experienced being on the receiving end of wounded little ones who growl and yell, who don't know how to get along with others, who have big issues and who have seen way too much......many of the counsellors have been working or volunteering in these communities. They aren't green......and they are chock full of insight, ideals, desires and a depth of understanding that surprised me. These kids will be in good loving hands.
My job today? To add to their toolboxes.......except we used seasonal sand pails, which we filled with symbolic items.......
- a piece of rope to represent a life line as well as a way of showing the need to put some personal boundaries in place
- a flashcard with an alphabet letter to promote literacy related activities...the fun ones
- a butterfly magnet......transformation......on both sides
- a flower..........seeds that have been planted and will bloom
- gum.....to stick together
- playdoh......open ended play
- paintbrush......for creativity
- and a marble......just in case they lose all of theirs.
In MY sand pail, I carried a bunch of shiny rocks which I had written one word on each. Throughout the day, I asked each participant and presenter to dip their hand in my pail to pull out a rock. Then, they were to look at the word and talk about whatever came to mind. Words like..........growth......fun.........hope.......motivation........
chaos........stretch........smile.......silly
talk.........listen.........fail..........goal..........silence
.........inspire.......me.......you.......we........dream....
The activity generated conversations and sharing at a level which I wasn't expecting. It was wonderful......
Stinking WOW PIP!! You would have loved it!!
The feelings expressed while trying to capture them in words spilled out all over the place. Interestingly, the most moving rock word was "silence."
Silence...........what are the kids not saying?.........what are the kids saying in between the words and actions they use? Silence........how do I reach out to them to help them deal with their woundedness? These were the thoughts shared by one of the participants.....and it hit us all deeply. The words led to places where no one expected, which made the day long learning all the more satisfying.
It's what I love about working with groups.......the mystery of the learning because you just never know what gems will be revealed by the individuals taking part........and to think today it was generated by a bunch of rocks.
Learning with and connecting with others is fuel and food for me. As I reflect on the day and all that was shared, I feel like my cups of life have been refilled. It tastes sweet. I want more of it.......
8 comments:
Love the pail and its items - thank you!
Glad you had such a successful session.
nice job. it must be so rewarding! i wish this sort of thing were more accessible to all children everywhere, no?
Caroline.....it went over so well. Have you ever thought about moving into adult education?
ricercar....very rewarding and i used to do much more of it. now, most of my days consist of way too much paperwork, which sucks the energy right out of me. Yesterday reminded me again what it is i need to get back to....somehow.
i do believe programs like these should be available to all kids. Summer programs are accessible to kids in the community whose parents can afford them....so it's great we can provide opportunities for the little ones who aren't so fortunate. My concern is for the kids who are not connected to us in some way, but are living in families who are very marginalized economically. There are some free recreation activities offered by the city, but it takes money to get to them.....
Though i do believe that kids shouldn't be "programmed" to death all summer long.....they need space and open play and figuring out how to just "be" if you know what i mean.....fun and games and swimming and crafts and all those good things should be interspersed for all.
You are very clever and never cease to amaze me girl. The world is blessed to have you as are all of those you come into contact with. XXXX
Group dynamics, while scary at times, can often lead to some of the most in depth and revelatory experiences regarding the divine that any one person can have. Community, while the cool buzzword now, is still sorely lacking in the Church.
shaz...thank you, but quite honestly i am the one who is blessed.
yesterday, one of the presenters, who works in the field of literacy, asked me about the work i do on a daily basis...i told her that i work mostly with people, some of whom are the most marginalized because of their illnesses and disabilities...that i often visit them in their homes. she commented on how difficult a job that must be. i don't see that part of my job as difficult because it is so revitalizing in many ways. more times than not, after i have spent a few hours with a client, i come away feeling lucky to have met them.....some of the most open hearted caring people i have ever met.....who show their kindness and sense of humour openly despite their situation in life.
i am blessed to have met such colourful warm hearted people....many broken and in need, but always there to share their lessons and stories. it is me who is blessed....they have provided big lessons to me.
dustin....its sad that "community" has turned into a buzz word. i hadn't thought of that. Group work is a step into a mystery....i guess it's part of what i like about it.
i do believe there are some churches out there which do have a strong community resonation to it....we just have to keep our eyes open for their signposts....and perhaps take a step into their mystery by initially watching by the doorway......to see if we would fit. it will happen, i believe. we just have to keep looking. :)
Dana, I'm so glad you're doing the work you love, which must be particularly gratifying as you're helping so many others and open to new experiences at the same time. The unpredictability must make it all the more interesting, on a daily basis.
hey Tara.....it was gratifying, but fleeting, with no other facilitating opportunities lined up this summer. September it will start up again, but am determined to generate more opps. I do love it.
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